The Secret to Effective ‘Anti-Aging’
Some say anti-aging is a misnomer. Technically it is.
Google’s English dictionary (Oxford Languages) defines anti-aging as “(of a product or technique) designed to prevent the appearance of getting older.”
And therein lies the issue: prevent versus what we really want it to do: correct.
However, this isn’t altogether a black-and-white issue.
Consider anti-aging creams. They generally include one or more ingredients that address various skin issues: ceramides to protect the skin barrier, collagen for moisture, glycolic or lactic acids to enhance cell turnover, azelaic acid for dark spots, and the list goes on.
Also consider expectations with skincare products. Realistically, they may deliver some nice results, but they’re not miraculously turning back the hands of time.
Seeking the Fountain of Youth
Let me tell you about my girlfriend who’s spent thousands of dollars on anti-aging products that promise the fountain of youth, but come up short. Every. Single. Time. (Is it the product, expectation, both?)
Whether it’s $12, $39, or $100, many skincare products claim to address aging skin concerns (and per the ingredient list above, some do), but they generally don’t provide the dramatic skin improvements we expect based on marketing claims:
“In one week, a lot will happen in your life. Wrinkles just won’t.”
This pervasive tv ad messaging claims their product prevents wrinkles. Here’s the reality: If your face moves, it creates folds which eventually become permanent lines. Nothing outside of botulinum toxin is going to effectively prevent that.
“[Product x] is a phenomenal solution for dark circles.”
It’s time to invest in a concealer. Skincare products will never, ever get rid of dark circles. Fact.
And then there’s dull skin, wrinkled skin, crow’s feet, smile lines…
So how do you choose products? Price? Packaging? Instagram??
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s to approach anti-aging products with a healthy dose of skepticism.
Remember what that annoying adult used to tell you when you were a hopeful, idealistic youngin'? “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” Still true.
Skincare’s Secret Ingredient
If you want your skin to actually become younger, there’s only one thing I know of that taps into the body’s natural regenerative wound healing response to do so. That’s defensins—molecules that encourage dormant cells in the body to wake up and make brand-new, young, and healthy cells.
“Basically, it’s your natural mechanism for healing a wound, and it stimulates a specific stem cell, the LGR6+ stem cell,” Dr. Gregory S. Keller, a West Coast facial plastic surgeon, explained to me at the Global Aesthetic Conference in Miami last year. “After activation, LGR6+ stem cells physically migrate into the basal layer of the skin and create a new epidermis, and eventually, new, younger-acting skin.”
Scientists at DefenAge have found a way to add their proprietary Defensins technology into DefenAge skincare formulas, changing the way people think about and approach anti-aging. And that’s literally by turning back the clock inside the skin cells.
Pair Defensins technology with your favorite anti-aging cream and you’ve got a nice combo approach that will deliver skin results closer to what you want and can expect out of your skincare regimen.
DefenAge's Solutions
