By: Leece LoCoco
We encounter many different skincare products here at Wisconsin Vein Center & Medi Spa. It was a new day when we were approached by representatives from a new skincare company better known as, Alastin. They claimed to have a product that would rock the retail world of aesthetics and boy, they did not disappoint.
Who is Alastin?
Alastin was founded in 2015 as an innovative skin care company. The products developed by Alastin are scientifically proven and clinically-tested to maintain skin health by protection and reinvigoration. Alastin has shown through its clinical testing the enhancement in the deposition of both elastin and collagen and the remodeling of the extracellular matrix.
Collagen, Elastin and Your Extracellular Matrix
Collagen, elastin, and the extracellular matrix have important roles when it comes to your skin. Collagen is a structural protein found in the skin as well as other connective tissues. Collagen provides the scaffolding which is the strength and structure needed for your body. Think of collagen as the glue that holds your body together. Elastin is a protein forming the main constituent of elastic connective tissue, found especially in the dermis. In other words, the elastin protein helps the skin return to its original position when it is poked or pinched. The Extracellular Matrix (ECM) is a collection of the extracellular molecules secreted by cells that provides structural and biochemical support to the surrounding cells.
The presence of collagen and elastin in the skin starts depleting immediately after infancy. Replenishment of elastin becomes minimal when a human reaches middle age. Discolorations appear on the skin due to unprotected sun exposure and aging. The skin begins to sag, thin, and wrinkle due to the loss of support collagen and elastin provide. When these components are compromised, the skin then becomes less able to regenerate itself. The function of the extracellular matrix is recycling old skin cells so new cells can come to the surface. This process depletes extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Extrinsic factors are the sun and other environmental factors while intrinsic factors are genetics, aging and hormones. Protein clumping begins to occur in the ECM resulting in clutter. This clumping of the protein interferes with the crosstalk necessary for healthy cellular renewal which is the body’s ability to produce healthy new skin.
What Sets Alastin Apart From Other Products: TriHex Technology
Alastin products feature a proprietary blend of synergetic peptides known as TriHex Technology. These peptides quickly penetrate the skin and starts signaling the ECM to clear damaged and clumped collagen and elastin. It also signals new collagen and elastin to produce. This blend also helps with inflammation and recovery facilitation post-procedure.
What We Have Seen
After the discovery of Alastin, we began using the product after Microneedling and Erbium Pixel laser treatments. We found that the product increases the healing time patients experience. Most of our patients factor “downtime” into their decision to do more ablative treatments. With Alastin, we can accommodate downtime in a much different fashion and support our patients with quick healing. This allows us to develop more aggressive treatment plans that will really address fine lines, wrinkles, acne scarring, sun damage and redness. Alastin, without a doubt, needs to be in your at-home skin care army.
Dr. Deborah Manjoney is a board-certified surgeon and physician with extensive training, including cardiothoracic surgery. She founded the Wisconsin Vein Center & MediSpa in 2002, where she specializes in vein treatments and minimally invasive aesthetic procedures. Dr. Manjoney is nationally recognized, having spoken at conferences, received awards, and contributed to medical publications.