Skin Challenge: Glycation

Diabetics have characteristically high levels of sugar in their blood and suffer from numerous health issues (including cataracts, atherosclerosis, etc.), which emanate from the formation of AGEs in the body. Therefore, diabetes is considered a disease of accelerated aging due to the inflammation that arises from the formation of AGEs.

Reducing glycation is important in slowing down the aging process and disease formation. AGEs accumulate in the extracellular matrix of the dermis and epidermis. They bind with long-lived components of the extracellular matrix like collagen and elastin fibers and play a role in intermolecular connections. Glycation modifies the skin’s physical properties, rendering it more rigid and less elastic resulting in wrinkling, stiffness, sagging, accelerated aging and a compromised barrier function.

Other conditions can also appear when microcirculation is damaged and cell turnover slows is a loss of volume in the face due to redistribution of fat. 

SPA MANAGEMENT:

What is the cause of glycation in your client?

Too much sugar in the body causes protein molecules to cross-link with sugar molecules. Once this cross-linking process has occurred, the new sugar proteins become advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Since the human body does not recognize AGEs as normal, and will produce antibodies that cause inflammation in the skin.

Determine any medications; contraindications and cautions before proceeding with any spa treatment.

Treatments that can be offered:

• DermoTaping
• Anti-aging treatments with 
• Light chemical peels
• LED

DISCLAIMER: Work within the scope of your license/certification and make sure to be covered by liability insurance for protection against claims.

About the Author

Mórag Currin is a highly sought-after esthetic educator with more than 27 years of spa industry experience and more than twelve years of training and training management experience. She travels around the globe with her training and expertise, helping to raise the bar in the spa industry and to open the door to all people, regardless of skin type or health condition. To learn more about this topic and many other skin challenges, diseases, and symptoms, check out Mórag’s book, Health Challenged Skin: The Estheticians’ Desk Reference.

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