If Staten Island Had a Fountain of Youth, It Would Be Filled With Collagen & Elastin

In the early 1500s, a Spanish explorer by the name of Juan Ponce de León set out on a mission to find Bimini – a chain of islands in the Bahamas. Legend has it that he was searching for a ‘magical spring’ that restored the youth of anyone who drank or bathed in its waters – also known as the ‘Fountain of Youth.’

He, unfortunately, never found it – leading some experts to believe the Fountain of Youth never existed. 

Then again, maybe he was just looking in the wrong spot – maybe he should’ve gone to Staten Island…

Alright, you called our bluff. 

There’s no such thing as a Fountain of Youth, and it’s certainly not in Staten Island. But here at Reforma Dermatology, we have something much better – something that produces real, eye-popping results. 

It’s called collagen and elastin.

You’ve probably heard of these two terms before, but what are they – and why are they important? You’re probably burning with questions, but don’t worry – we’re going to try and answer them for you below!

Collagen & Elastin: The Flower of Your Youth

Let’s talk about the skin – you know, that thing draped around your body. Yeah, that one – it’s only the largest organ in the entire body, and, while it consists of three layers, we’re only talking about one today.

The dermis. 

It’s a busy layer – housing everything from hair to oil, sweat glands, connective tissue, blood vessels, nerves, and much more. In fact, the dermis makes up more than 90% of your skin’s overall thickness.

It also houses collagen and elastin.

Collagen and elastin are the two proteins that give your skin its supple, youthful appearance – though they work in two completely different ways. Collagen provides the skin with strength and structure, while elastin keeps the skin flexible and resilient. Together, they help keep the skin tight, smooth, and firm. 

But there’s one small problem…

The body naturally produces collagen and elastin – with the help of these little guys called fibroblasts – but that production also naturally declines as we age. And the more it declines, the more our skin starts losing its strength, structure, elasticity, and resiliency – which results in wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging.

Oxidative Stress: Overcoming Your Skin’s Worst Enemy

You know how every movie has a good guy and a bad guy – a protagonist and an antagonist? When it comes to your skin (and body, in general), antioxidants are the good guys – like Batman and Robin. But then you have these things called free radicals – your skin’s worst enemy, but you can call it the Joker. 

That’s because oxidative stress has one thing on its mind – destruction. 

So, what is oxidative stress? 

In an ideal world, your body will maintain a healthy balance of free radicals and antioxidants – a process known as oxidation. While this is a necessary process in the body, too much of it can be dangerous. 

And that’s the case with oxidative stress. 

Oxidative stress happens when there’s an increase in free radical activity or a decrease in antioxidant activity (or both). When free radicals outnumber antioxidants, they start damaging anything in their path – such as cells, fatty tissue, DNA, and proteins (yes, even the precious collagen and elastin inside our skin). 

All this damage exacerbates the aging process – making those wrinkles and fine lines even worse. 

So, how can we prevent oxidative stress? 

Preventing oxidative stress begins with understanding what triggers it. Avoiding excessive sunlight exposure, eating a healthier diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and wearing sunscreen are some of the immediate changes you can make. Maintaining a regular sleep routine at night is also important.

Reforma: Step Inside Our Fountain of Youth – It Does Exist!

Here at Reforma, we understand how important collagen and elastin are to the way your skin looks and functions. Considering how much collagen and elastin we’re all losing on a daily basis – not just to the aging process, but also to oxidative stress and other factors – it’s about time we did something about it. 

And that’s exactly what we’re doing. 

We would like to take a moment to introduce you to five of our most popular skincare treatments – Exion, Emface, Agnes, Candela Nordlys, and AquaFirme XS. They all share a common theme (increase elastin and collagen), but they each do so in a different way. Don’t worry – we’ll explain the differences to you!

1. Exion: RF Energy, Microneedling, & Ultrasound

The Exion workstation, brought to you by BTL Aesthetics, uses a combination of monopolar RF energy, microneedling, AI-powered pulse control, and ultrasound technology to temporarily (and safely) damage the skin. This ignites the skin’s natural healing response, which increases collagen and elastin production.

2. Emface: HIFES & Radiofrequency Technology

The Emface device, also brought to you by BTL Aesthetics, uses a combination of high-intensity facial electromagnetic stimulation (HIFES) technology and synchronized radiofrequency (RF) technology. The HIFES technology causes the muscles to contract, while the RF applies heat to the targeted skin cells.

3. Agnes: Microneedling & Radiofrequency Energy

The Agnes device, brought to you by Agnes America, uses a combination of microneedling (creating microinjuries with tiny microneedles) and radiofrequency energy (applying heat to damage skin cells). It was originally developed for active acne, but it can also help treat a number of other skin conditions. 

4. Candela Nordlys: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy

The Nordlys device, brought to you by Candela, takes advantage of a process called intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy. Instead of using direct heat, the device uses light (at a variety of wavelengths) to destroy targeted cells and ignite the healing process. It can help treat both pigmented and vascular lesions.

5. AquaFirme XS: Micro-Cupping, Massage, & Ultrasound

The AquaFirme workstation, brought to you by Aesthetic Management Partners, combines the use of micro-cupping (removes debris from the skin), vibrating massage (promotes blood circulation), and ultrasound (improves nutrient and topical absorption). There are four proprietary blends to choose from.

Schedule a Consultation With Us to Learn More!

Are you starting to notice wrinkles and fine lines around your lips, eyes, forehead, cheeks, and nose? Do you feel like these signs of aging are coming just a little too early? Are you looking for a non-invasive, non-surgical solution to your anti-aging needs? Do you want to look and feel like your younger self? 

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of those questions above, then you’ve come to the right place!

Welcome to Reforma Dermatology. 

The Staten Island community has been asking for a Fountain of Youth – well, here we are! I know, it’s not the type of fountain you were expecting, but look – we have the equipment, knowledge, and passion to help you look and feel your absolute best. Contact us today at (929) 200-3003 for your first consultation!