Sugar and Spice, Not So Nice
All humans and most mammals across the earth have a genetic tendency to love, love, love sugar in our food products. As a result, we may overindulge in foodstuffs with large amounts of sugar in them. One half of an ice crème sandwich is my personal daily temptation. A pie does not last longer than 48 hours in our refrigerator due to my husband’s well-known reputation for midnight foraging.
As far as our skin elasticity is concerned, the overindulgence of sugar is not so nice. Sugar to skin is more like snakes and snails and puppy dog tails! Cane sugar, sugar beet sugar, fructose, sucrose: no matter what it’s called, natural sugar products have the same basic molecular structure. Sugar molecules can bind to collagen and elastin proteins in your skin which can lead to early sagging or wrinkles on face, hands and other skin areas.
‘Sugar Sag” or Glycation is something that we do not normally hear about in our beauty publications. Most readers will know that collagen and elastin fibers give our skin its smoothness and bounciness. Glycation is part of the normal ageing process, but excess sugar in one’s diet can accelerate this process by binding to these fibers and causing early sag. Early sag will make us surely sad!
What can we do to diminish glycation? Just what you might expect: by limiting excessive added sugars and carbohydrates in our diets, and by eating fruits and vegetables and other antioxidant foods that contain vitamin-C. Smoking cessation, and daily use of sunblock are additional help.
The licensed Aestheticians at the Beals Skin and Laser Center have other more assertive treatments which can be added to dietary changes. An Aesthetician may choose to do skin micro-needling, or a chemical peel depending on your skin type and condition. Laser treatment options can stimulate collagen and improve skin smoothness. They can also refer you to one of our excellent Nurse Injectors for the select placement of BOTOX® (onabotulinumtoxinA) or fillers. Finally, they will recommend a quality skincare regimen and sunscreen to keep your skin looking youthful.
Our staff can help you to better understand your own skin needs and to look great and be healthy. Call Beals Skin and Laser Center at (480) 947-6788 for your consultation with one of our experienced Aestheticians or Nurses.
Written by Gina Viviano, RN, LA
Medically reviewed by Stephen P. Beals, MD
Gina is the Director of the Stephen P. Beals Skin and Laser Center, Paradise Valley, AZ
Dermatology, nursing, and skincare have been professional passions for her entire career.