What is Skin Elasticity & How Can You Improve It?
5 min read
FEB 18, 2023
February 18,2022
SKIN CARE, SKIN SCIENCE
What is Skin Elasticity & How Can You Improve It?
5 min read
FEB 18, 2023
February 18,2022
SKIN CARE, SKIN SCIENCE
Your body is always in motion, and whether you’re running, sitting, or smiling, your skin moves with every action. So what gives your skin the wonderful ability to stretch with your movements? The primary proteins that provide skin its elastic quality are elastin and collagen and it is their progressive decline that leads to loss of skin elasticity with age. While some loss of skin elasticity is a natural part of intrinsic aging, environmental factors play a significant role. Therefore, there are steps you can take to slow the process down and restore elasticity.
Your body is always in motion, and whether you’re running, sitting, or smiling, your skin moves with every action. So what gives your skin the wonderful ability to stretch with your movements? The primary proteins that provide skin its elastic quality are elastin and collagen and it is their progressive decline that leads to loss of skin elasticity with age. While some loss of skin elasticity is a natural part of intrinsic aging, environmental factors play a significant role. Therefore, there are steps you can take to slow the process down and restore elasticity.
01
What is meant by skin elasticity?
One hallmark of youthful skin is its elasticity. This refers to your skin’s ability to bounce back into place after it stretches or bends. Like a new rubber band, skin elasticity is highest when the skin is young. However, as the years go by, elasticity naturally declines.[1] This loss in the skin’s elasticity is often most notable on the face. That’s because the skin on your face works harder than the skin on other areas of your body. The human face includes over two dozen muscles on each side, and your skin stretches and contracts even with the tiniest muscle movements. Like a rubber band, your skin snaps back less readily after repeated use.
01
What is meant by skin elasticity?
One hallmark of youthful skin is its elasticity. This refers to your skin’s ability to bounce back into place after it stretches or bends. Like a new rubber band, skin elasticity is highest when the skin is young. However, as the years go by, elasticity naturally declines.[1] This loss in the skin’s elasticity is often most notable on the face. That’s because the skin on your face works harder than the skin on other areas of your body. The human face includes over two dozen muscles on each side, and your skin stretches and contracts even with the tiniest muscle movements. Like a rubber band, your skin snaps back less readily after repeated use.
02
What is considered a good level of elasticity in skin?
The two proteins most responsible for your skin’s elasticity are collagen and elastin. Therefore maintaining adequate levels of each is important for optimal elasticity.Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, providing structural integrity and connecting cells together [2]. Collagen accounts for approximately 70% of he dermis, while elastin accounts for less than 1%. However both perform very important functional roles withint skin. [3]Elastin is the protein that gives tissues and organs the ability to recoil – or bounce back – after stretching. Like collagen, this type of protein is an extracellular matrix (ECM) protein. Heart valves, blood vessels, and skin all have elastin, allowing them to stretch and spring back to their original form [4]. A reduction in elastin leads to skin creases and sagging.
02
What is considered a good level of elasticity in skin?
The two proteins most responsible for your skin’s elasticity are collagen and elastin. Therefore maintaining adequate levels of each is important for optimal elasticity.Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, providing structural integrity and connecting cells together [2]. Collagen accounts for approximately 70% of he dermis, while elastin accounts for less than 1%. However both perform very important functional roles withint skin. [3]Elastin is the protein that gives tissues and organs the ability to recoil – or bounce back – after stretching. Like collagen, this type of protein is an extracellular matrix (ECM) protein. Heart valves, blood vessels, and skin all have elastin, allowing them to stretch and spring back to their original form [4]. A reduction in elastin leads to skin creases and sagging.
03
Where are elastin and collagen most important?
These proteins give your skin its stretch and bounce. And while it’s easy to believe that wrinkles and even stretch marks occur because of the very top layer of skin, the true answer lies deeper than you think. Out of the skin’s three primary layers, it’s the lower layers (dermis and subcutis) that contain the most collagen and elastin.
- Epidermis: The epidermis is the outermost layer of your skin. This is the layer that is visible to you.
- Dermis: The middle layer of skin is called the dermis. This is where most collagen resides.
- Subcutis: The deepest layer of skin is called the subcutis (subcutaneous), which mainly contains fat cells and connective tissue.
03
Where are elastin and collagen most important?
These proteins give your skin its stretch and bounce. And while it’s easy to believe that wrinkles and even stretch marks occur because of the very top layer of skin, the true answer lies deeper than you think. Out of the skin’s three primary layers, it’s the lower layers (dermis and subcutis) that contain the most collagen and elastin.
- Epidermis: The epidermis is the outermost layer of your skin. This is the layer that is visible to you.
- Dermis: The middle layer of skin is called the dermis. This is where most collagen resides.
- Subcutis: The deepest layer of skin is called the subcutis (subcutaneous), which mainly contains fat cells and connective tissue.
04
What Causes Skin to Lose Its Elasticity?
The loss of skin elasticity stems from a variety of factors but maintaining consistent healthy habits can help optimize elasticity levels as you naturally age. Levels of both collagen and elastin decline with age [7]. However, if you are wondering, “what age does skin lose elasticity?”, it’s important to note that age isn’t the only factor at play. Along with age, other factors can also accelerate the breakdown of these two proteins and may even have a stronger impact than intrinsic aging with time.UV Rays (sun exposure)Solar elastosis is the breakdown of elastin resulting from sun exposure or other sources of UV rays [8]. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), sun damage is one of the most preventable causes of crepey skin [9]. UV rays age your skin, whether the source is the sun or a tanning bed. Long-term exposure to UV degrades elastin and collagen, damages skin cells, and impairs the skin’s ability to heal itself.SmokingResearch also shows that the skin of 30-year-old smokers already shows creasing and lines typically only seen in the skin of non-smokers who are 40 or over [10]. Another research study found a correlation between skin elasticity and lung function in smokers. Because smoking breaks down collagen and elastin and causes inflammation, skin aging may be a sign of reduced lung function in smokers [11]. As it turns out, poor skin elasticity in smokers may be a strong indication of impaired lung function.Hormonal ChangesHormonal changes can significantly impact the appearance of your skin. During menopause, for example, the rapid drop in estrogen levels causes a reduction in collagen. Studies show that in the first five years after menopause, about 30% of collagen is lost [12]. Some medical conditions and medications can also cause rapid hormonal changes, which may disrupt the body’s collagen levels. Without sufficient levels of collagen, skin becomes wrinkled and less elastic.DietFree radicals are compounds that are harmful to the cells in your body, causing oxidative stress. Skin cells are especially vulnerable to free radicals because of their direct exposure to the sun and the environment. A diet high in fruits and vegetables helps to counter the effects of free radicals through antioxidants. Consuming a diet that includes healthy fats, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E helps slow skin aging [13].Other Causes of Poor Skin ElasticityFactors such as where you live and your activities also significantly affect your skin’s elasticity. For example, individuals who live in dry and desert conditions may see a greater elasticity loss than those who live in areas with less direct sunlight and more moisture.Other factors include:
- Pollution
- Stress
- Genetics
- Sleep deprivation
- Significant weight loss
04
What Causes Skin to Lose Its Elasticity?
The loss of skin elasticity stems from a variety of factors but maintaining consistent healthy habits can help optimize elasticity levels as you naturally age. Levels of both collagen and elastin decline with age [7]. However, if you are wondering, “what age does skin lose elasticity?”, it’s important to note that age isn’t the only factor at play. Along with age, other factors can also accelerate the breakdown of these two proteins and may even have a stronger impact than intrinsic aging with time.UV Rays (sun exposure)Solar elastosis is the breakdown of elastin resulting from sun exposure or other sources of UV rays [8]. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), sun damage is one of the most preventable causes of crepey skin [9]. UV rays age your skin, whether the source is the sun or a tanning bed. Long-term exposure to UV degrades elastin and collagen, damages skin cells, and impairs the skin’s ability to heal itself.SmokingResearch also shows that the skin of 30-year-old smokers already shows creasing and lines typically only seen in the skin of non-smokers who are 40 or over [10]. Another research study found a correlation between skin elasticity and lung function in smokers. Because smoking breaks down collagen and elastin and causes inflammation, skin aging may be a sign of reduced lung function in smokers [11]. As it turns out, poor skin elasticity in smokers may be a strong indication of impaired lung function.Hormonal ChangesHormonal changes can significantly impact the appearance of your skin. During menopause, for example, the rapid drop in estrogen levels causes a reduction in collagen. Studies show that in the first five years after menopause, about 30% of collagen is lost [12]. Some medical conditions and medications can also cause rapid hormonal changes, which may disrupt the body’s collagen levels. Without sufficient levels of collagen, skin becomes wrinkled and less elastic.DietFree radicals are compounds that are harmful to the cells in your body, causing oxidative stress. Skin cells are especially vulnerable to free radicals because of their direct exposure to the sun and the environment. A diet high in fruits and vegetables helps to counter the effects of free radicals through antioxidants. Consuming a diet that includes healthy fats, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E helps slow skin aging [13].Other Causes of Poor Skin ElasticityFactors such as where you live and your activities also significantly affect your skin’s elasticity. For example, individuals who live in dry and desert conditions may see a greater elasticity loss than those who live in areas with less direct sunlight and more moisture.Other factors include:
- Pollution
- Stress
- Genetics
- Sleep deprivation
- Significant weight loss
05
How Do I Know If I Have Poor Skin Elasticity?
Early identification of poor skin elasticity will give you the greatest chance of restoring skin elasticity.The following are signs that you might be losing skin elasticity:
- Loss of firmness
- Loss of radiance
- Deep wrinkles
- Sagging
- Loose skin
05
How Do I Know If I Have Poor Skin Elasticity?
Early identification of poor skin elasticity will give you the greatest chance of restoring skin elasticity.The following are signs that you might be losing skin elasticity:
- Loss of firmness
- Loss of radiance
- Deep wrinkles
- Sagging
- Loose skin
06
At what age do you start to lose skin elasticity?
Research into skin aging and wrinkling indicates that around 33% of the population shows signs of poor elasticity in their twenties, though severe skin damage is rare at that age. That said, symptoms of poor skin elasticity can occur at any time in adulthood, especially in people who smoke or have had high exposure to UV rays.For women, however, the loss of skin elasticity accelerates after menopause [1]. And while it’s great that humans are living longer, this longevity means that women spend an increasingly larger portion of their lives in a postmenopausal state.Skin contains estrogen receptors and so the presence of estrogen makes it easier for the body to produce collagen. Similarly, elastin declines are observed with decreasing estrogen levels. [14] Therefore, the steep decline in estrogen that occurs with menopause causes the skin to lose much of its elasticity. After the initial rapid loss of collagen in the first five years of menopause, women lose about 2% of their skin’s collagen every year for the next two decades [15]. Though menopause and skin changes can occur for women, men can also see a decline in elasticity later in life, typically due to sun exposure, dehydration, or aging. To keep skin supple and elastic throughout your life, it’s best to start caring for your skin in your earlier years.
06
At what age do you start to lose skin elasticity?
Research into skin aging and wrinkling indicates that around 33% of the population shows signs of poor elasticity in their twenties, though severe skin damage is rare at that age. That said, symptoms of poor skin elasticity can occur at any time in adulthood, especially in people who smoke or have had high exposure to UV rays.For women, however, the loss of skin elasticity accelerates after menopause [1]. And while it’s great that humans are living longer, this longevity means that women spend an increasingly larger portion of their lives in a postmenopausal state.Skin contains estrogen receptors and so the presence of estrogen makes it easier for the body to produce collagen. Similarly, elastin declines are observed with decreasing estrogen levels. [14] Therefore, the steep decline in estrogen that occurs with menopause causes the skin to lose much of its elasticity. After the initial rapid loss of collagen in the first five years of menopause, women lose about 2% of their skin’s collagen every year for the next two decades [15]. Though menopause and skin changes can occur for women, men can also see a decline in elasticity later in life, typically due to sun exposure, dehydration, or aging. To keep skin supple and elastic throughout your life, it’s best to start caring for your skin in your earlier years.
08
How Can I Increase My Skin Elastin?
Increasing your skin’s elastin content is possible. Some women turn to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to fight against the body’s loss of estrogen and counter the effects of menopause, like collagen and elastin declines, bone loss, and hot flashes. However, HRT is still not considered completely risk-free by some physicians, leading many to opt out of this treatment.Laser treatments, often conducted in a physician or licensed esthetician’s office, can improve elasticity and encourage collagen production. Two of the most commonly-used laser treatments – non-ablative fractional laser (NAFL) and intense pulsed light therapy – are same-day treatments. Though effective, these aging skin treatments are costly and, sometimes, painful.Skin topicals can be effective at improving skin tightening and smoothness. They’re also a much less invasive option than laser or hormone treatments. However, not all topicals are the same. Although many skin care topicals claim to increase elastin and improve skin firmness, some don’t contain effective ingredients, and if they do, many don’t penetrate deep enough into the skin to encourage elastin and collagen production. Because these proteins exist in large amounts beneath the first layer of skin, penetrating into the deeper skin layers is essential.
08
How Can I Increase My Skin Elastin?
Increasing your skin’s elastin content is possible. Some women turn to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to fight against the body’s loss of estrogen and counter the effects of menopause, like collagen and elastin declines, bone loss, and hot flashes. However, HRT is still not considered completely risk-free by some physicians, leading many to opt out of this treatment.Laser treatments, often conducted in a physician or licensed esthetician’s office, can improve elasticity and encourage collagen production. Two of the most commonly-used laser treatments – non-ablative fractional laser (NAFL) and intense pulsed light therapy – are same-day treatments. Though effective, these aging skin treatments are costly and, sometimes, painful.Skin topicals can be effective at improving skin tightening and smoothness. They’re also a much less invasive option than laser or hormone treatments. However, not all topicals are the same. Although many skin care topicals claim to increase elastin and improve skin firmness, some don’t contain effective ingredients, and if they do, many don’t penetrate deep enough into the skin to encourage elastin and collagen production. Because these proteins exist in large amounts beneath the first layer of skin, penetrating into the deeper skin layers is essential.
09
OneSkin’s Effect on Elasticity
Topical skin care products like OneSkin’s comprehensive skin health line is powered by the OS-01 peptide, which targets signs of aging skin at the source. Integral to OneSkin’s R&D process is penetration studies, to ensure that each product delivers the OS-01 peptide to the dermis layer of the skin, where collagen and elastin mostly reside.OneSkin’s topical supplement for the face, OS-01 FACE, is clinically validated to improve skin elasticity in 90% of users, shown in a 12-week clinical study performed by a third-party contract research organization (CRO).Additionally, OneSkin’s topical supplement for the eyes, OS-01 EYE, is scientifically proven to increase a key marker associated with collagen production, COL1A1 and decrease a key marker associated with collagen degradation, MMP1, in lab studies on ex vivo human eyelid skin.Finally, OneSkin’s topical supplement for the body, OS-01 BODY, has been scientifically proven to increase skin’s epidermal thickness in lab studie son ex vivo human skin samples.
09
OneSkin’s Effect on Elasticity
Topical skin care products like OneSkin’s comprehensive skin health line is powered by the OS-01 peptide, which targets signs of aging skin at the source. Integral to OneSkin’s R&D process is penetration studies, to ensure that each product delivers the OS-01 peptide to the dermis layer of the skin, where collagen and elastin mostly reside.OneSkin’s topical supplement for the face, OS-01 FACE, is clinically validated to improve skin elasticity in 90% of users, shown in a 12-week clinical study performed by a third-party contract research organization (CRO).Additionally, OneSkin’s topical supplement for the eyes, OS-01 EYE, is scientifically proven to increase a key marker associated with collagen production, COL1A1 and decrease a key marker associated with collagen degradation, MMP1, in lab studies on ex vivo human eyelid skin.Finally, OneSkin’s topical supplement for the body, OS-01 BODY, has been scientifically proven to increase skin’s epidermal thickness in lab studie son ex vivo human skin samples.
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Key Takeaways:
- Skin elasticity refers to your skin’s ability to bounce back after stretching.
- Loss of skin elasticity increases the risk of wrinkles, sagging, and creasing – all signs of aging skin.
- The two proteins responsible for maintaining skin elasticity are collagen and elastin, both of which decline with age, sun damage, and a variety of other factors.
- OneSkin’s OS-01 peptide can encourage collagen production, resulting in healthier skin. [16] OneSkin's OS-01 FACE was clincially validated to improve skin's elasticity in a 12-week clincial study.
Key Takeaways:
- Skin elasticity refers to your skin’s ability to bounce back after stretching.
- Loss of skin elasticity increases the risk of wrinkles, sagging, and creasing – all signs of aging skin.
- The two proteins responsible for maintaining skin elasticity are collagen and elastin, both of which decline with age, sun damage, and a variety of other factors.
- OneSkin’s OS-01 peptide can encourage collagen production, resulting in healthier skin. [16] OneSkin's OS-01 FACE was clincially validated to improve skin's elasticity in a 12-week clincial study.
References
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320789
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/262881#collagen-explained
- https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-the-Dermis.aspx
- https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2021.596702/full
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6540032/
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22357-dermis
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8239663/
- https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/solar+elastosis
- https://www.aad.org/media/stats-numbers
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11895509
- https://respiratory-research.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12931-019-1098-7
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352647519300012
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20085665/
- https://www.dovepress.com/factors-influencing-skin-aging-and-the-important-role-of-estrogens-and-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-CCID
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2613964/
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41514-023-00109-1
References
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320789
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/262881#collagen-explained
- https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-the-Dermis.aspx
- https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2021.596702/full
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6540032/
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22357-dermis
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8239663/
- https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/solar+elastosis
- https://www.aad.org/media/stats-numbers
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11895509
- https://respiratory-research.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12931-019-1098-7
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352647519300012
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20085665/
- https://www.dovepress.com/factors-influencing-skin-aging-and-the-important-role-of-estrogens-and-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-CCID
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2613964/
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41514-023-00109-1
Reviewed by Alessandra Zonari, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and Co-Founder of OneSkin
Alessandra earned her Master’s degree in stem cell biology, and her PhD in skin regeneration and tissue engineering at the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil in collaboration with the 3B’s Research Group in Portugal. Alessandra did a second post-doctoral at the University of Coimbra in Portugal. She is a co-inventor of three patents and has published 20 peer-reviewed papers in scientific journals.
Reviewed by Alessandra Zonari, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and Co-Founder of OneSkin
Alessandra earned her Master’s degree in stem cell biology, and her PhD in skin regeneration and tissue engineering at the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil in collaboration with the 3B’s Research Group in Portugal. Alessandra did a second post-doctoral at the University of Coimbra in Portugal. She is a co-inventor of three patents and has published 20 peer-reviewed papers in scientific journals.