Holistic Approach to Glycation

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The explanation of glycation, according to Western medicine, is the result of a glucose excess in the skin fibers, which results in wrinkles. The American Heritage Medical Dictionary defines glycation as “The nonenzymatic covalent bonding of a sugar molecule to another molecule, especially a protein.” This has resulted in the conclusion that sugar causes wrinkles.

When a client is experiencing signs of glycation, the skin may present any or all of the following characteristics: discoloration, hyperpigmentation, hard and shiny appearance, deep crevices around the eyes/nasal labial fold or deep criss-cross lines along the upper lip or chin.

Topical Approach

According to Western medicine, dermatology and mainstream esthetics, the treatment of choice for this condition is primarily topical, citing professional services such as chemical peels, enzymes and microdermabrasion.

Products containing tocopherol, resveratrol, green tea, vitamin C and vitamin A continue to remain at the top of the recommendation list, exhibiting the belief that utilizing ingredients claiming to benefit the skin may be the correct approach. Since the result of the glycation process manifests on the skin, this allopathic methodology makes sense to most. From a Chinese medicine and a holistic approach, we see it differently.

Continue reading about a holistic approach to glycation in our Digital Magazine...

Michelle Valeri is the owner of MV Skin Consulting and the co-founder of Holistic Dermal Professionals. She is a licensed esthetician, a skin expert in Eastern philosophy and a Chinese Medicine Wellness Consultant. In addition to having 25+ years of natural healing and product development experience, she has trained privately with multiple Chinese medicine masters through apprenticeship style teaching methods.

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