CSS Forums - Damage Control

[B]Damage Control[/B] By Dr. Khurram Mushir

When you think about things harmful for your skin what comes to your mind? Well, pollution for one and obviously low quality products too. Here, you cannot overlook the negative effects of extreme weather conditions like freezing dry winter and scorching summer heat. However, who would have thought something as essential to life as oxygen can also be harmful for your skin. Confused! Leave an apple that has fallen from a tree on the ground in the sun, it will soon shrivel up and turn brown. This is a perfect example of the effect too much exposure to oxygen can have on your skin.

Our skin, unlike the apple, has a constant supply of nourishment from within (assuming that we eat and drink well) the effects of the sun and air nevertheless take their toll. Our skin is like our protective layer, which is constantly exposed to the chemicals and the environmental factors, which include chemicals in the air, chlorine in the swimming pools, extreme temperatures and ultraviolet radiations of the sun.

On top of these things, various internal bodily processes bring on the signs of ageing too - even people who live in clean environments and don't sunbathe get wrinkled up as they age. So, want to know a major factor that damages our skin, turning it from being smooth and taut to being lined and wrinkled? It is oxidative damage, caused by the free oxidising radicals or oxidants. They come from pollution, fried and burnt foods, cigarette smoke, processed cooling oils, sunlight, combustion and ironically the body's own burning of oxygen to produce energy. Oxidants increase the rate of heart diseases, cancer, Alzheimer's and many more diseases as well as general ageing. Indeed, people with Down's syndrome, who age more quickly, have been found to have a defect in the way their bodies deal with oxidants

[U]How does oxidation occur?[/U]
Oxidants are the body's equivalent of nuclear waste that must be decommissioned in order to keep a healthy body. We can consider them as the sparks generated by our bodies, which help in burning glucose in our cells to produce energy. These sparks or oxidants, cause damage and need to be put out. The spark extinguishers are the anti-oxidants.

Ironically, most of the oxidants in the body are actually toxic forms of one of our most essential elements - oxygen. Think of what happens when iron is exposed to oxygen - it rusts. Similarly, oxygen can cause damage in our bodies. Oxidants are very destructive overall because they damage fats, proteins, connective tissues and nucleic acids. The parts of our bodies, which are particularly vulnerable to such attacks, are the membranes of our cells and the DNA within them. The cell membrane is responsible for controlling what goes in and out of cells - nutrients, water, hormones, toxins etc.

[U]Minimising your exposure to oxidants:[/U]
Smoking is particularly bad for the skin because it interferes with the blood flow to the capillaries. These are the tiny blood vessels that take oxygen and nutrients to the skin and carry away carbon dioxide and waste products. Every cigarette contains special active ingredient called toxins that constrict the blood vessels. If you starve your skin of oxygen it will remove the lingering traces of a healthy complexion. This inevitably diminishes the functionality of the skin. Like smoking, air pollution generated by car exhausts, factory emissions will soon promote oxidation in your skin.

[U]How to reduce damage to your skin through oxidation:[/U]

- Avoid or limit exposure to external oxidative factors such as tobacco smoke, excessive exposure to the sun, radiation, viruses and bacteria, pesticides, exhaust fumes, industrial pollution, burnt or fried food and alcohol intake.

- Take plenty of anti - oxidant rich foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, chicken, milk, pulses and plenty of water.

- Take an anti-oxidant supplement prescribed by your doctor.

- Avoid stress and work overload.