Japanese Beauty Secret For Brighter Skin
Natural, healthy, radiant skin full of “Ki”—Japanese for energy, spirit, power, or vitality. My skin at 52, no filter, no makeup! Fresh after my morning skin regimen with Faith Japanese Skincare.
KI—energy flow
An unhealthy skin tone, and a general ‘tired-looking skin’ often refer back to Ki-insufficiency. The skin has run out of energy. Energy to renew itself (i.e. shed old skin cells and produce new ones), energy to get the blood circulation going, and getting the important nutrients to the surface.
A healthy state of the human condition - and beautiful skin - is the result of free, unrestrained circulation of Ki. Ki—in Japanese conveys the spirit, power, or vital energy. Not surprising Ki's color is “GOLD" and everyone wants to know how to get that golden glow and dewy skin. To achieve this, the skin renewal process needs proper stimulation to achieve regeneration and a healthy, radiant golden glow will flow.
What exactly is regeneration?
Regeneration can mean several things for our skin. First, it is the process by which old, dead skin cells on the surface of the skin are replaced by younger, fresher skin cells underneath. Skin cell turnover decreases with age (when we're young, it's estimated to take around 28 days) so we usually need to exfoliate or get help from skin superheroes. Second, regeneration can also refer to boosting key proteins in our skin, such as collagen or elastin, which are important for the skin's structure, density, and elasticity (which is the ability to 'bounce back' after being pulled out of shape, for example when you smile or frown.)Third, which is the first to look at—is your diet with the lifestyle that could be depleting your essence and Ki.
For now let us look at treatments and products to brighten a dull, lackluster complexion. Increase collagen, help control pigmentation, and refine pore size. Even-toned skin with small pores will always look healthier than skin with age spots and enlarged pores.
We also have to explore what accelerates aging.
Photoaging
Continuous exposure to sunlight, especially UV light, quickens the aging of the skin. UV rays that reach the earth's surface cause acute skin reactions, such as erythema (sunburn) and delayed pigmentation (suntan), directly damaging skin cells. They also generate active oxygen species, accelerating skin aging through the formation of dark spots, wrinkles, and sagging. Inflammation and active oxygen species caused by ultraviolet rays also accelerate the glycation reaction. This involves proteins and lipids binding with sugars, forming advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). It has been recently understood that AGEs play a significant role in accelerating skin “aging,” ironic though it may seem. Furthermore, AGEs themselves also cause inflammation, further promoting skin aging.
2. Decrease in Stratum Corneum Barrier Function
Our skin ages more rapidly due to continuous exposure to the atmosphere and external irritation. The stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the skin, acts as a barrier between the body and the external environment. A key component of this barrier function is the lamellar structure. When the lamellar structure is intact, it enables the stratum corneum to respond to external irritation and prevents transepidermal water loss. However, when the lamellar structure is disrupted, the skin becomes more susceptible to external stimuli and unable to prevent water loss, leading to dryness.
How can you speed up skin regeneration?
Thankfully, there are many things you can do and healthy alternatives to the over-prescribed hydroquinone or Retin-a to regenerate and brighten the skin without damaging and thinning it.
Japanese Beauty Secrets to Brighter Skin
Physical exfoliation is the most obvious step, which means removing the dead cells, dirt, and debris on the surface of your skin with the use of an exfoliator. The Japanese way is gentle-Use the Gentle Cleanse which contains natural exfoliating ingredients that also leave the skin soft and supple. It’s a simple cleansing technique that means washing your face for a full 60 seconds, instead of the usual duration of 15-20 seconds. With its straightforward approach and remarkable benefits, it has become a sensation in the skincare community, promising glowing skin in just a minute.
The Japanese approach to graceful aging transcends skincare, intertwining skincare rituals with holistic lifestyle practices. Embracing a nourishing diet rich in antioxidants—found abundantly in green tea, fish, and a variety of vegetables—plays a pivotal role.
In Japan, masks are called packs. They pack on masks to hydrate, exfoliate, and brighten the skin weekly.
Face Massage, Face Massage, Face Massage with hands or beauty tools.
The Japanese hold the aesthetician in high regard. They get regular professional skin treatments.
They protect themselves from the sun naturally wearing UPF clothing and walking everywhere with parasols.
Japanese AVOID Retinol, and I agree, to a certain extent. When used correctly the right product can help the skin. Often though, this is high on the list for dermatologists to suggest across the board for everyone in America for increasing the rate of skin cell renewal. However, I’ve only seen this irritate, aggravate, and make the skin more sensitive and ultimately thin the skin when other issues are not addressed and overused.
The Japanese engage in mindfulness practices like meditation and the art of forest bathing, fostering mental tranquility essential for holistic well-being.
Prioritizing quality sleep completes this holistic approach, ensuring the body and skin rejuvenate optimally.
Surprisingly, as early as our twenties the skin's exfoliation process decreases by around one quarter, so everyone will benefit from the right product. Look for natural exfoliating particles (such as fruit extracts), moisture-boosting ingredients, and something to soothe the skin if you find your skin sensitive actively. If you want to give your skin an intensive treatment, massage your exfoliator into the skin for longer (rather than harder) to avoid damaging your skin. The slowed rate of skin cell renewal as we age is largely due to a decline in estrogen levels (which starts fairly gradually after the age of 30, then sharply during and after menopause), so we can prompt the skin to regenerate by using plant estrogens (phytoestrogens). By mimicking natural estrogen, phytoestrogens help increase the rate of skin cell turnover, boost collagen and elastin as well as maintain hydration by stimulating the production of hyaluronic acid. I do recommend a gentle at-home peel, as long as it’s recommended by a professional that understands your skin I would approve. Always follow instructions and err on the side of caution if unsure.
The Lamellar Mode Series by Faith Cosmetics Brightening Line is created by an extensive, results-driven line of patented collagen deliberative technology collaborated with scientists from Japan. Their integrated skincare system improves skin cell reproduction while enhancing the skin’s natural healing abilities using safe, paraben-free ingredients – all of which do not contain harmful active oxygens which are known to cause aging in the body’s tissues. The product line leads to a clear complexion free of blotches and dullness by targeting the mechanisms that cause hyperpigmentation.
Benefits:
Stops melanin production signals by suppressing the generation of signaling molecules involved in melanin production.
Halts melanin synthesis by inhibiting the activity of tyrosinase.
Stops melanin transfer by suppressing its movement to keratinocytes, retaining it within melanocytes.
Excretes melanin-(eliminates melanin accumulated in keratinocytes).
Delivers active ingredients with a brightening effect directly to the skin.
Production Signal: In response to exposure to stimuli such as UV rays, signaling molecules involved in melanin production are generated.
Melanin Production: Activation of tyrosinase in melanocytes causes the oxidization of tyrosine, which turns into DOPA, dopaquinone, and then melanin.
Melanin Transfer: The melanin produced in melanocytes is transferred to keratinocytes.
Melanin Accumulation: Disruption in turnover can lead to melanin retention in keratinocytes, resulting in the formation of blotchiness from UV rays.
Nowadays, skin lightning is just another common way of keeping that youthful glow and reducing the look of dark spots and freckles that can plague an otherwise clear complexion. We are often told to stay away from the sun, but a healthy dose of sun exposure is good for us. If you do suffer from extreme hyperpigmentation, then yes it’s best to protect yourself. However, melanoma rates are an at all-time high, but sun exposure is at an all-time low, how can we continue to blame the sun for this? We’ve been conditioned to fear the sun. Why?
I believe petroleum-derived ingredients and high chemical preservatives in sunscreen, which are major endocrine disruptors are good places to examine and could be adding to the dullness, and “rusting” of our cells and prematurely aging our skin.
Especially in the summer, protect from UV overexposure and prevent your brown spots from developing or worsening. If you are battling this condition now your first step in combating hyper-pigmentation (brown spots) is curbing the activity of the hyperactive melanocytes -your pigment-producing cells in the skin. Topical skin brighteners that inhibit the melanin-stimulating enzyme tyrosinase can effectively limit overproduction and keep the condition from worsening. Reconsider skin-lightening ingredient Hydroquinone (HQ) The industry’s most popular brightener has many adverse side effects including rebound pigmentation, liver, renal, and bone marrow toxicity has been reported and poses a cancer risk in high doses. Other problems that can occur is permanent staining to the skin a condition known as ochronosis, where bluish-black pigment is formed. In August of 2006 the FDA- proposed a ban on over-the-counter sales of this skin lightener. HQ has been banned in almost every country but the United States, to this day.
With all the products on the market targeted to "brighten" the skin consumers are misinformed. They don't understand product lines containing hydroquinone should be used for a short period and then stopped or not used at all. It will only help to eliminate symptoms, but not resolve the prolonged condition. With all the adverse reactions and side effects natural ingredients often make the best and most sensible skin-lightening agents. They pose little risk of irritation and safe to use and will treat this condition effectively for the long term.
After the source of pigmentation is determined and pigment production is under control, resurfacing can begin to speed the fading of pigmented areas and return the skin to its original tone. The next step is to draw the pigment up and out. Non-Traumatic Corrective Peels & resurfacing treatments can accelerate cell turnover and renewal to "lift" away discoloration over time "pushing" affected skin cells to the surface where they are eventually shed. The result is smoother, denser, and more hydrated even skin.
Post-Inflammatory: Easiest to treat.
Photo-damage: Ultra Violet Radiation =Free Radicals=Melanin Protection Response. Bunching in areas of recurrent trauma. (can be treated)
Hormone Association: Due to Pregnancy or birth control-related needs chronic tyrosinase inhibition. Most "masks of pregnancy" go away within three months of delivery.
Melasma: Can be difficult to treat.
Finally, having common sun-sense and practicing sun protection safety is just as important. Hyper-pigmented skin is extremely vulnerable and sun-sensitive and can easily be exacerbated by UV exposure. Antioxidants can also assist and reduce the free radical load and melanocyte activity. Stay away from anything that reduces anti-oxidant activity such as steroids (Retina-A for example is in a steroidal base).
Until next time cheers to beautiful healthy skin that goes beyond skin deep!
xx
Claudia