Efficacy of SPA Treatments in Alleviating Intrinsic Skin Aging - Essay Example

? Evaluation of the Efficacy of SPA Treatments in Alleviating Intrinsic Skin Aging and Evaluation of the Efficacy of SPA Treatments in Alleviating Intrinsic Skin Aging Introduction Intrinsic and extrinsic aging describe the cutaneous aging of the skin and other parts of the body system such as musculoskeletal system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system and the digestive system (Palmer & Kitchin, 2010, p.13). Extrinsic skin aging is a declination process caused by external factors such as cigarette smoking, ultra-violet radiation, and air pollution. Extrinsic aging is also referred to as photoaging, and involves alterations in cellular biosynthetic activity that causes gross disorganization of the dermal matrix. The primary causes of intrinsic aging constitute internal factors alone. Internal factors include physiological functions such as digestion, excretion, gaseous exchange, and immunity (Boyd & Bee, 2005, p.34). Intrinsic aging is an inherent degenerative process because it is associated declining physiologic functions and body capacities. The rate of intrinsic aging in a person can be dramatically accelerated by personal and environmental factors such as the duration of exposure to ultra-violet rays excessive accumulation of air pollutants. The process of intrinsic aging is usually undesirable due to its body weakening effects that render a person incapable doing tasks efficiently. Aging takes between fifty to sixty years before setting in; however, this depends on the diet, type of physical activities and the health of a person. Scientists need to comprehend the changes that take place in the human body in order for them to provide the treatments needed to maintain the skin of the aging people. Medical agencies have developed several anti-aging treatments (Boyd & Bee, 2005, p.37). Sisley Sisleya Anti-aging Body Treatment is one of the most capable ant aging for alleviating the problems associated with skin aging. Consumers need to understand clearly the efficacy of SPA treatments in alleviating intrinsic aging of the skin. Literature Review This literature review focuses on the effects of intrinsic aging of the skin and the functioning of spa treatments as anti-aging products. Effects of Intrinsic Aging of the Skin The skin effects of intrinsic aging include both qualitative and quantitative changes such as diminished or defective synthesis of elastin and collagen in the dermis. Defective synthesis of elastin and collagen lead to degenerative skin that is overtly observable. Collagen is composed of fibrous structural proteins called collagen fibers (Breedlove, Watson & Rosenzweig, 2010, p.51). Collagen fibers are forms extracellular matrix, which supports body tissues and maintains the external structure of the cells. Collagen has a high tensile strength, and forms the main component of tendons, cartilage, fascia, ligaments and skin. Collagen and keratin are responsible for skin strength and elasticity; their degradation causes wrinkles lentigines, skin coarseness, fine lines, wrinkles and dyspigmentation that characterize the aging skins. During the process of aging, cortisol stimulates degradation of the skin collagen into amino acids. Synthesis pathogenesis, caused by vitamin C deficiency, causes a disease called scurvy. Scurvy is a painful disease that leads to prevention of formation of strong connective tissues due to defective collagen. This causes skin decolourization and chronic wounds, which further lead to skin deformation. Chronic wounds spreads across the skin, and causes scars when wounds heal. Intrinsic aging causes reduction in the cutaneous vessel size. Both photoaging and intrinsic aging significantly reduces the number of dermal vessels especially in subepidermal areas that display extensive matrix damage (Boyd & Bee, 2005, p.41). Chronic photodamage causes gradual decrease in the number and size of dermal vessels over several years of exposure to ultra-violet sunrays. Degenerative changes of the dermal extracellular matrix also contribute to decrease in dermal vessels. The Functioning of SPA Treatments as Anti-Aging Several studies have suggested that some over-the-counter cosmetic ingredients have the potential to function as anti-aging treatments. These cosmetic ingredients include botanicals, ingredients, and vitamins. The over-the-counter ingredients have the properties that can benefit human skin during the process of chronological and environmental aging (Boyd & Bee, 2005, p.47). Most of the propositions that argue for the functionality of over-the-counter treatments remain largely unsupported since not rigorous studies have been done to support the same. Despite this, several spa treatments have been confirmed to guarantee anti-aging effects on the aging skin. Spa treatments are predominantly moisturized cosmeceutical skin care products that claim to enable consumers maintain their young looks by reducing, masking, and preventing signs of skin aging. Anti-aging treatments solely focuses on body massage. These treatments incorporate the anti-aging body creams and aromatic massage oils that are aimed at restoring the natural elasticity and tone of a person’s body (Timiras, 2003, p. 39). Routine application of spa treatments stimulates blood circulation and makes the skin porous for elimination of toxins and other harmful metabolic wastes. The best body parts where anti-aging spa treatments work include decollete, inner arms, stomach, inner thighs, and buttocks. Spa treatments contain ingredients that promote collagen production and prevent degeneration of skin cells. Companies claim that products such as hyaluronic acid, egireline and okra plant extracts contain chemicals that act as wrinkle relaxers (Goodman & Fuller, 2009, p.11). Anti-aging treatments decrease stretch marks, moisturizes the skin, and fill the developing wrinkles temporality. This makes people appear younger than their actual age by concealing physical defects of skin aging. Product Analysis This section analyses Sisley Sisleya anti-aging treatment concerning the products’ background information, treatment protocol, claims for treatment, and the products used. The analysis also focuses on both physiological and psychological effects of anti-aging products. Sisley Sisleya Anti-aging Body Treatment Background Information This treatment comprises of Sisley’s first anti-aging body cream that is intended to reduce the visible effects of skin aging. The company claims that the cream can restore the appearance of a younger and toned body. According to the company, applying the Phyto-Aromatic body oil accompanied by a specific sequence of massage movements on all sections of the body energizes the skin and makes it firm. The purpose of the massage is to stimulate blood circulation, balance body energy, boost gaseous exchange in the cells, and eliminate harmful waste products from the skin (Goodman & Fuller, 2009, p.14). This gives the skin its fine and strong characteristic features and maintains the young skin. The Treatment Protocol The treatment protocol for Sisleya involves treating factors that cause sagging, fine lines, and dehydration. Directions for use constitute applying the treatment in the morning and evening on the stomach, inner thighs, buttocks, and decollete using light smoothening movements. A concentrate of Sisleya active ingredients with serum focuses on areas subject to skin slackening and loss of firmness. Sisley Sisleya Anti-aging Body Treatment stimulates and protects factors in the skin aging such as loss of dermis structure and drying skin. The plant extracts in this treatment reinforce elastin, collagens, and GAGs that are responsible for skin firmness. Sisley Sisleya Treatment reinforces hydration of tissues and provides critical nutrients; plant extracts contained in the treatment nourishes moisturizes and repairs the epidermis. This helps to restore the skin’s comfort, beauty, and suppleness. Sisley Sisleya Treatment also acts as an ant aging through instant smoothening of the skin. Rhatany extract with Oat extract to form natural elastic mesh of the skin, which provides an instant non-stick smoothening result (Goodman & Fuller, 2009, p.14). The company promises consumers positive results within four weeks. The results include improvement in density and tone, faded fine lines, reduced dimpled skin, and visibly beautiful skin. Claims for the Treatment The treatment relaxes the damaged and irrigated skin. The skin soothes repairs and calms, replaces lost moisture, and leaves the aging skin irresistibly soft. The skin treatments, such as facial treatment use tropical resins in purifying, cleansing, and regulating subcutaneous excretion. This tightens the skin pores, purifies skin and complexion, leading to clear and fresh skin (Palmer & Kitchin, 2010, p.14). Additionally, these treatments reduce the fatty deposits that cause cellulote and prevent the formation of new fatty acid deposits. Through combating build-up in tissues, the products releases water retention, smoothens the skin, and slims the silhouette. The effectiveness of Sisley Sisleya treatment works through regulating the flow of adipocytes, reduces the speed of formation of new fatty acids and stimulate tissue drainage. Manufacturers claim that compression of blood vessels leads to reduced rate of microcirculation in nerve fibers; these can cause pinching pain (Evans, Paolisso, Abbatecola, Corsonello and Bustacchini, 2010, p.527). Selected plant extracts such as Bitter Orange stimulate tissue drainage and reduce chances of localized swelling. Products Used Sunflower Sunflower seeds are used to make oil; this oil has the potential for retaining moisture in the skin. The sunflower oil contains moderate quantities of vitamin E, hydrocarbons, and methyl ketones. The oil contains antioxidant vitamins A, C and E that prevent the oxidative damage to the skin caused by air pollutants and bright sunlight (Winter, 2005, p.22). Apricot Apricot oil is rich in Vitamin A, which reduces wrinkles and fine lines caused by natural skin aging (Winter, 2005, p.26). Apricot creams overcome the visible signs of aging through their moisturizing properties; the cream ingredients work together to keep the skin supple, and remove the wrinkles, thus, minimizing the physical signs of intrinsic aging. Lavender Lavender oil is anti-bacterial, decongestant, anti-viral, restorative, and anti-inflammatory. These properties are critical in healing the irritated skin and help in fading the skin scars (Boyd & Bee, 2005, p.42). The oil also increases blood circulation; this makes it an excellent anti-aging since it can be applied to the body as a moisturizer. Body product manufacturers such as Aubrey and Avalon Organics use lavender to make oil treatments with attractive smells that are also health to the skin. Rose Geranium Rose Geranium has relaxant and antiseptic properties. The leaves and oil of the Rose geranium are used in making anti-aging products. The Rose Geranium oil prevents the formation of fine lines and wrinkles through its relaxation properties. Antiseptics in the Rose Geranium oil reduce the chance of skin infections, putrefaction, and sepsis (Breedlove, Watson & Rosenzweig, 2010, p.56). Vitamin E Experts argue that vitamin E is a critical antioxidant since it protects cell membranes and prevent enzyme damage associated with the cell membranes (Gary, 2013, para. 3). Vitamin E inactivates free radicals and minimizes their chances of causing damage. Additionally, applying vitamin E to the skin reduces damage caused by sun exposure and prevents the production of cancer-causing cells (Gary, 2013, para.5). Vitamin E supplements reduce wrinkles, limit photodamage and improve skin texture. Physiological and Psychological Effects of the Anti-aging Treatment and Products Physiologically, most anti-aging products increases the rate of metabolic processes such as blood of circulation, leading to increased supply of nutrients, oxygen and water (Timiras, 2003, p.32). Anti-aging products also boost the skin’s natural structure, replenishes and repairs the damaged skin, and promotes skin regeneration as the old one wears out. Anti-aging products manufacturers maintain ingredients and collagen renewal, which are crucial in maintaining the elasticity of the skin. Consumers of anti-aging products are psychologically confident that these products can help them restore their skin from anti-aging. Perhaps this confidence and hopes make them to benefit from the problems associated with intrinsic aging of the skin. Sometimes the products may fail to function since most of them are effective in a short-term while others react and cause skin damage; this causes consumers to lose confidence due to reduced personality (Timiras, 2003, p.37). Psychologically affected consumers remain frustrated and lack confidence to appear before the public. Discussion of the Findings Anti-aging treatments are only beneficial to the consumer if they are strictly used according to the protocols proposed by the manufacturer. Use of the treatments such as over-the-counter products without clear guidance by the specialists may lead to adversarial consequences. Most people are currently using anti-aging products to minimize the physical effects of the skin because of the ugliness associated with aged skins (Timiras, 2003, p.37). Everybody wants to appear young and beautiful. Products that are used in manufacturing anti-aging treatments contain oily supplements and natural ingredients, which make the skin soft, limit oxidation when exposed to harmful chemical, increases blood circulation and prevent formation of wrinkles. Extensive research in anti-aging products has increased over years due to rapidly rising demand for these products. Likely Effectiveness of the Treatment for Skin Aging Anti-aging skin products have the potential for effectiveness in minimizing the effects of skin aging. The primary causes of intrinsic aging include fatty deposits, skin oxidation, and drying of the epidermis. Medical researchers have found out that various products can such as sunflower, lavender, Rose Geranium and apricot have the nutrients that can reduce skin defects caused by aging (Breedlove, Watson & Rosenzweig, 2010, p.67). These supplements work in synergy to remove fatty acids, reduce chances of skin oxidation, and make the skin oily. The skin thus, loses fine lines, wrinkles, coarseness, and dyspigmentation. This indicates that effective applications of anti-aging products are likely effective in restoring the aging skin. Anti-aging treatments are effective for alleviating effects of aging if they are regularly done by a therapist, and also accompanied by attending sauna jaccuzi before treatment. Further research is still in progress concerning the effectiveness of spa treatments; however, research findings argue that most products have proven effectiveness as anti-aging supplements. Conclusion Intrinsic aging is highly undesirable because it causes skin deformation, leading to unattractive appearance. Scientists have resorted into using spa treatments as anti-aging supplements to minimize the aging of the skin. Research is still ongoing concerning the effectiveness of the spa treatments in limiting the appearance defects of aging. Sisley Sisleya Anti-aging Body Treatment is one of the treatments that claim to have the potential for treating an aging skin and restore its young looks. The anti-aging treatments focus on moisturizing the skin, reducing accumulation of fatty deposits, and increasing the rate of blood circulation. The treatments make the skin to appear more beautiful, eliminate the fine lines, and improve the skin’s tone and density. Consumers need to visit specialized beauticians and avoid over-the-counter treatments that sometimes may react with the skin and cause excessive damage. Beauticians should also study the reactive nature of the skin before prescribing any anti-aging skin treatment. The effectiveness of anti-aging treatments is contingent upon their ability to relieve stress that is associated with natural aging, life issues, and a person’s lifestyle. Administering spa treatments alone cannot be effective because of the natural aging process. The surgical procedure is also not effective because it is outdated. Thus, spa treatments are characterized by efficacy as anti-aging treatments. References Boyd, D and Bee, H. 2005. Lifespan development. 4th ed. Allyn & Bacon. Breedlove, S. M., Watson, N. V., & Rosenzweig, M. R. 2010. Biological psychology: An introduction to behavioral, cognitive, and clinical neuroscience. Sunderland, MA: Sinauer Associates, Inc. Publishers. Evans, W. J., Paolisso, G., Abbatecola, A. M., Corsonello, A., Bustacchini, S. 2010. Frailty and muscle metabolism dysregulation in the elderly. Biogerontology, 11(5), pp. 527-536. Gary, D. V., 2013. Myth vs. Reality on Anti-Aging Vitamins [online] http://www.webmd.com/beauty/aging/myth-vs-reality-on-anti-aging-vitamins> Accessed November 23, 2013. Goodman, C. C., & Fuller, K. S. 2009. Pathology: Implications for the physical therapist. St. Louis: Saunders. Palmer, D. M., & Kitchin, J. S. 2010. Oxidative damage, skin aging, antioxidants and a novel antioxidant rating system. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology : Jdd, 9(1), pp. 11-15. Timiras P. S. 2003. Physiological basis of ageing and geriatrics. Boca Raton, FI: CRC PRESS. Winter, R. 2005. A consumer's dictionary of cosmetic ingredients. 6th edition. New York: Three Rivers Press. Read More