Is Red Maple Leaf Extract the Newest Way to Prevent Wrinkles?

//Is Red Maple Leaf Extract the Newest Way to Prevent Wrinkles?

Is Red Maple Leaf Extract the Newest Way to Prevent Wrinkles?

The anti-aging skin care industry is a fast-paced business, with many companies continually developing new products they hope are the next big thing to prevent and treat the signs of aging. However, researchers from the University of Rhode Island may hold the new key to erasing the signs of aging: red maple leaf extract.

The effects of aging on the skin include the development of wrinkles, fine lines and creases; increased skin laxity and sagging; and dark spots and uneven pigment. While these skin conditions are often thought to occur in adults during their mid-40s, skin quality really begins to wane as soon as the early to mid-20s.

“Between age 20 and 22, the face begins to lose fat volume, which causes sagging and looseness. Starting around age 22 to about 25, the body begins to slow down its production of collagen and elastin,” said Dr. Christy Walker, a dual-board-certified cosmetic surgeon and gynecologist in Plano, Texas.

Collagen is a protein vital to the skin. It gives the skin its support and structure. Elastin is also a protein that is important for the skin; it allows the skin to stretch and retract.

When the body stops producing these critical proteins, the stage is set for the development of wrinkles in the 30s and 40s, which makes the need for an effective anti-aging treatment all the more pressing.

“Taking care of your skin when you’re young can help reduce the risk of developing wrinkles and other age-related skin issues when you are older,” Walker said.

Some anti-aging treatments currently available often include chemicals, such as products that contain retinols, or vitamin A derivatives, which help support the skin by encouraging the body to produce new skin cells. Then there’s botulinum toxin type A injections designed to temporarily paralyze the facial muscles to prevent them making wrinkles, and dermal filler injections that help to replace lost facial volume.

However, the Rhode Island researchers hope their new plant-based solution could offer a healthier and more beneficial alternative.

During their study, the scientists found that the red maple leaf extract helps to protect the skin’s elastin. While in the lab, they noticed that red maple leaf extract potentially hinders the activity of elastase, the enzyme that breaks down elastin. The extract may also have the ability to reduce inflammation and lighten areas of dark pigment.

While this breakthrough is indeed exciting, the researchers and Walker caution individuals not to go out and empty the shelves of maple syrup just yet.

“Any new product must go through human clinical trials to determine if it is both effective and safe,” Walker said.

While the red maple leaf extract can help the skin stay elastic, it will not be able to address existing wrinkles, so it is likely that people will still need to use a combination of products to treat their skin.

While the research and development of red maple leaf extract products continue, Walker gives people some advice to care for their skin in the meantime.

“The best way to take care of your skin is to drink plenty of water, establish a solid skin care routine that includes products that contain retinols, and wear sunscreen daily,” Walker said.

Other additional recommendations for getting great skin include limiting the consumption of alcohol and caffeine and avoiding smoking.

“Alcohol and caffeine can cause dehydration, which can make wrinkles form faster, and smoking breaks down collagen and elastin and can jump-start the aging process,” Walker said.

Source:

Allure. Maple Leaf Extract Could Be the Next Big Fine Line Smoother, According to Early Research. 23 August 2018.

By | 2018-09-30T18:06:25+00:00 September 30th, 2018|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Is Red Maple Leaf Extract the Newest Way to Prevent Wrinkles?

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