Aloe As A Skin Anti-Ager

Rob Rich Aloe

Of Its Firm Skin

In Sex and the City Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall) plays to what lengths we go—especially when facing...mm…maturity in our appearance—to save our only skin from baking in the aging oven—when she gets a chemical peel, burning her skin to renew and refresh her face, and must wear a veil for a month.

When pal Carrie catches a glimpse of her complexion through the veil her comment is to the point: “You look like beef carpaccio.”

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Samantha's Peel Effect

No need to stretch to Samantha’s extreme, as an unfailing aloe vera juice might take a little longer to achieve the same effects, but they are head to toe, include your butt and breasts, which, by the way, age even faster, and no veil needed. Although many think of aloe vera as just another skin moisturizer, the juice of this succulent member of the garlic family is earning attention for its anti-aging powers. Thick and rich aloe juice goes deep within to modify gene expression, rejuvenate cells called fibroblasts and rebuild collagen, responsible for giving structure, elasticity and firmness to the skin.

Increase Collagen Production

In the first reported study on the plant’s anti-aging effects 30 women over age 45 received two different doses of an orally ingested aloe vera for 90 days. The researchers discovered aloe vera dramatically lessened wrinkles and improved elasticity. The study concluded aloe juice “significantly improves wrinkles and elasticity in photoaged human skin with an increase in collagen production.” The aloe supplement also decreased the activity of collagendegrading enzymes by modifying MMP-1 gene expression.

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Skin Growth Factors

One of the ways cosmetic scientists determine a substance’s anti-aging attributes is to study its ability to restore wounded skin. That is because the daily assaults the skin faces from the sun, wind and other harsh elements are basically the same as minor wounds, causing free radical damage and inflammation. A study from the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules shows aloe recharges the skin’s ability to recover after being wounded. In this case, among 45 rats with open wounds, topical aloe vera directly modified gene expression at the wound site. The levels of MMP-3 (yet another enzyme that degrades collagen) were vastly reduced; levels of n-acetyl glucosamine, n-acetyl galactosamine and collagen, complex sugars and proteins responsible for skin structure, increased. “Faster wound closure was observed,” the scientists wrote. They said aloe has “positive effects” on the regulation of skin growth factors at the molecular level, which certainly opens up new perspectives for the treatment of skin wounds.

As for sun damage, the March 12, 2014 issue of the Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology reported that topical aloe protects from ultraviolet radiation damage—just in time for summer—by defusing sunburnrelated free radical damage. Sunburned rats topically treated with aloe vera experienced less inflammation and damaged cells. The effects come from aloe’s antioxidants.

Read:Aloe's Ancient Elixir

Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema

While taking aloe vera orally may require from several weeks to three months for its full effect, just a quick application of topical aloe vera to the face or skin stimulates cell regeneration within hours. Aloe also prevents and minimizes the incidence of acne, dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema and other skin issues.

Non-Diluted Rich Antioxidants

Aloe is classed as a succulent in the garlic family with over 100 active constituents including an array of food nutrients. It is advised to use preparations containing the whole leaf with a yellow sap color and no added water or sulfites; these provide the highest concentration of antioxidants and polysaccharides.

Read:Be Beautiful Without Sacrificing Health

Anti-Aging For The Skin

1. Optimize digestion—drinking whole leaf aloe vera juice (yellow sap included for the extra skin support) stimulates digestive juices and allows for vitamins, minerals and proteins to be absorbed up to 300%--besides turning on the skin’s youth genes.

2. Colorful food choices—eat from a rainbow of colors: dark green and orange vegetables, seasonal fruits and quality proteins, fish, lean meats, beans, nuts and seeds (as tolerated). Skin favorites are vitamins A, B complex plus extra B12, sublingual C, D3, E, calcium, magnesium, zinc, omega-3s (fish oils) and raw whole food protein.

3. Avoid inflammation and be aware that gluten is an inflammatory food. Go on a glutenfree diet. It will clear up skin problems if one has a subclinical sensitivity.

4. Detoxification—drink generous amounts of water, exercise and use a sauna regularly.

REFERENCES
Cho S, Lee S, Lee MJ, Lee DH, Won CH, Kim SM, Chung JH. Dietary Aloe Vera Supplementation Improves Facial Wrinkles and Elasticity and It Increases the Type I Procollagen Gene Expression in Human Skin in vivo. Ann Dermatol. 2009 Feb;21(1):6-11. doi: 10.5021/ ad.2009.21.1.6. E-pub 2009 Feb 28. Tabandeh MR, Oryan A, Mohammadalipour A. Polysaccharides of Aloe vera induce MMP-3 and TIMP-2 gene expression during the skin wound repair of rat. Int J Biol Macromol. 2014 Apr;65:424-430. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2014.01.055. E-pub 2014 Jan 31. Silva MA, Trevisan G, Hoffmeister C, Rossato MF, Boligon AA, Walker CI, Klafke JZ, Oliveira SM, Silva CR, Athayde ML, Ferreira J. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of Aloe saponaria Haw in a model of UVB-induced paw sunburn in rats. J Photochem Photobiol B. 2014 Mar 12;133C:47-54. doi: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2014.02.019. [E-pub ahead of print]Disclosure in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission regulation 16 CFR, Part 255: this post is sponsored by an advertiser.