Glycation - Sugar and Skin Ageing
We are all used to hearing how sugar damages our teeth, waistline, and health. However, few realise its contribution to premature skin ageing.
High-sugar diets lead to excess glucose (sugars) in the body. This glucose binds to our collagen and elastin, creating Advanced Glycation End-products (or AGEs), and causes collagen and elastin fibres to become stiff and brittle. It also degrades collagen from Type III (the strongest form) to Type I, the weakest form. The end result is an increase in fine lines and wrinkles, and lax and sagging skin, especially around the jowl area.
Excess glucose in the body can also deactivate our natural anti-oxidant enzymes, leaving the skin vulnerable to free-radical damage, and reduces the skin’s lipid (oil) content. This impairs the skin’s barrier function, and further accelerates premature ageing of the skin.
Glycation damage typically appears in our mid-30’s, but with high-sugar diets becoming common at ever younger ages, some are displaying signs of glycation in their 20’s.
The most obvious sign of glycation ageing are deep cross-hatch lines appearing around the crows-feet, lip, and chin area. When we think of ‘normal’ wrinkles they run in a linear fashion, and are parallel to one another. However, glycation wrinkles cross over each other and create a pattern similar to the photo below:
How to Fight Glycation:
Skincare
We recommend Sentéales Anti-Ageing Cream, which contains:
Why not book in for a facial at the Rowan Tree for expert help with your skin care, and to begin your journey towards a healthy skin