What is Elastin?

A Critical Protein The Sun Saps the Skin's Elasticity

A Critical Protein

The Sun Saps the Skin's Elasticity

Normal, unharmed skin is usually 80% collagen and 4% elastic fiber mesh network. Sun-damaged skin can grow to be as much as 80% abnormal elastic fibers. The elasticity of the 'garbage' elastin is similar to a hard rubber tire, versus a healthy elastin network which is analogous to a rubber band, which can stretch and snap back. Where less sun-exposed skin has more elasticity and is younger looking, damaged skin is much more prone to wrinkling.

Think of any child you know. Kids move their faces all the time and have no 'motion' wrinkles. The lines on their forehead disappear when they stop moving their forehead muscles. Wrinkles are not caused by 'creasing' our skin. If our elastin wasn't damaged it would bounce back into place just like a child's does. But the years of harmful sun exposure take their toll and cause our skin's elastin to lose its 'spring', and the wrinkles you see are the result.