Empirical research shows that it is not the cells in the skin that change over time; it is the connective proteins that hold them together that changes. Proteins, such as collagen and elastin are extremely long molecules consisting of hundreds of atoms and are responsible for maintaining the connectivity of the cells in our skin. As we get older, we become less able to precisely replicate these long protein molecules, and they simply become shorter. Once these long chains of atoms become broken (shorter), they lose their ability to do their job of holding our cells together in a flexible net-like configuration.The shorter the protein, the less flexible and firm the structural support it provides in holding the skin cells together.
It’s no surprise that even the slightest variation in the way skin cells are held together can have such a dramatic affect on physical properties. Diamond, graphite, and coal are all made of pure carbon atoms. It’s the way these atoms pack together that accounts for their different physical properties. Not all configurations pack together as efficiently. If you took a pile of marbles, you’d see that they don’t always land in their most space efficient packing arrangement. That is why M&M’s candy has been of great interest to chemists; they almost always land in their most condensed arrangement, much the way carbon atoms are most efficiently packed in diamond.
Likewise, it’s no surprise that connectivity of our skin cells can make a large difference in appearance. We’re all aware that oil comes in different viscosities (thicknesses). A thick oil is thick because its long hydrocarbon molecules, consisting of hundreds of atoms, get tangled together as would a mesh of long ropes, therefore resisting flow. An oil is made thinner by cutting the length of these long molecules, making them less able to tangle. Our skin works the same way. The shorter the proteins, that hold it together, the thinner and less resistant to movement it becomes.
The effects of protein breakdown and aging skin
Free radical damage
It’s no surprise that even the slightest variation in the way skin cells are held together can have such a dramatic affect on physical properties. Diamond, graphite, and coal are all made of pure carbon atoms. It’s the way these atoms pack together that accounts for their different physical properties. Not all configurations pack together as efficiently. If you took a pile of marbles, you’d see that they don’t always land in their most space efficient packing arrangement. That is why M&M’s candy has been of great interest to chemists; they almost always land in their most condensed arrangement, much the way carbon atoms are most efficiently packed in diamond.
Likewise, it’s no surprise that connectivity of our skin cells can make a large difference in appearance. We’re all aware that oil comes in different viscosities (thicknesses). A thick oil is thick because its long hydrocarbon molecules, consisting of hundreds of atoms, get tangled together as would a mesh of long ropes, therefore resisting flow. An oil is made thinner by cutting the length of these long molecules, making them less able to tangle. Our skin works the same way. The shorter the proteins, that hold it together, the thinner and less resistant to movement it becomes.
The effects of protein breakdown and aging skin
Free radical damage