Talking Skin Health with Dr. Chilcott

How can you make more collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid?

And why should you want to?

We hear about collagen and its diminishment in our skin, contributing to why it is saggy, but what is it? What about hyaluronic acid and elastin? Our bodies are composed of a wide variety of cell types, supported by a myriad of different biochemical substances, but what are they, and what is their role in our skin health? Let’s take a little look:

Younger Skin vs. Older Skin

COLLAGEN is a structural protein with five main types (cleverly named Types I-V). As we age, our collagen breaks down, and we are less able to remake and rebuild it. Furthermore, the loss of estrogen from menopause significantly reduces women’s ability to synthesize collagen.

ELASTIN is a connective tissue protein found throughout our bodies, including our skin. It is a coiled molecule that makes up the elastic fibers in our tissues, allowing us to stretch and bounce back. Unfortunately, over time, these elastic fibers get broken and over-stretched. The good news is, you can revitalize it with extreme heat – similar to returning stretchiness to a nylon garment by putting it in the dryer.

HYALURONIC ACID, or HA, is not a protein but a type of polysaccharide called a glycosaminoglycan (GAG). It is found in our skin and joints. Because it is very hydrophilic, it is often used in beauty products as a moisturizer. To be clear, though, putting HA on your skin is not the same as putting it in your skin. In aesthetic medicine, people commonly inject HA into their skin as a dermal filler to plump up their lips and cheeks to provide instant volume.

PROFOUND

NON-SURGICAL FACELIFT

Inserts paired needles with radio frequency; superheats the deep layers of skin to achieve 50-60% of a facelift by stimulating the creation of new elastin and collagen, and hyaluronic acid.

MATRIX PRO RFMN

Uses microneedles and radiofrequency technology to revitalize the top layer of skin and just below the surface to reduce fine lines and re-energize elastin molecules.

SCULPTRA

This injectable encourages your body to make collagen as part of an inflammatory response, resulting in very natural tightening and re-volumizing of the skin.

PDO THREADLIFT

Surgical sutures act as a scaffolding to hold the skin in place and grow collagen around the new placement to keep it there. The body dissolves the threads and the results remain for months to years.

Maui

Hot Spot

Moku Roots, Lahaina

Known for its awardwinning, farm-to-table, zero-waste, vegan, and vegetarian cuisine, Moku Roots has a meal for any preference and restriction without skimping on quality. Try one of their signature cocktails using local spirits and ingredients. 335 Keawe St. #211 Lahaina, mokuroots.com

SEND NOODS

Star Noodle, Lahaina

As the name suggests, this is the spot to go for homemade ramen, saimin, and udon. The Singapore noodles are always a favorite, and the Lahaina fried soup will have you rethinking your opinion, and indeed definition, of soup. 1285 Front Street, starnoodle.com

TABLE FOR 50+

Nick’s Fish Market, Wailea

The focus here is on island flavors and freshly caught fish. The upscale atmosphere is romantic and beautiful and perfect for any group gathering, corporate event, wedding, and more. Fairmont Kea Lani, nicksfishmarket maui.com

Maui Brewing Company, Kihei

Specializing in casual events for groups from 50 to 400, Maui Brewing Co's Kihei location has two venues in-house. Sip on local beers and enjoy the indoor and outdoor spaces for your next gathering. 605 Lipoa Parkway, mbcrestaurants.com

Need Shades

Huihui, Kaanapali

The newest restaurant in Kaanapali is already attracting attention and accolades from visitors and locals alike. The name Huihui means constellation, and the open-air atmosphere is designed to honor the tradition of Hawaiian wayfinding. Every table in the house has a great view of the sunset, Ka’anapali Beach Hotel, huihuirestaurant.com

HydraFacial is the only hydra-dermabrasion procedure that uses patented technology to cleanse, extract, hydrate, and reveal younger looking skin with no discomfort or downtime. This treatment is most commonly used on the face, but can also be used on the back and arms. Book yours today and see immediate results.

Eva Claiborne Beauty & Wellness

Beaches, clear skies, sunshine and tan skin — all the hallmarks of a perfect summer. Unfortunately, that “healthy glow” often has a dark side, as skin cancer is one of the most frequently occurring cancers in the United States, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the number one cause of skin cancer. On the bright side, it’s 2023 and thanks to technological advances you can still embody a summer look without putting our health at risk. In addition to self tanners — which have come a long way since the early 2000s orange Oompa Loompa shades we used to see — Titok Naturals has a variety of skincare products for your best summer skin yet.

Banning Rays Layer your favorite self tanner on top of Titok Naturals Antioxidant Serum . This high potency multi-C cocktail drenches the skin in an infusion of powerful antioxidants and offers advanced protection from photo aging, UV damage and hyperpigmentation. Loaded with goodfor-you ingredients like astaxanthin — the strongest antioxidant vitamin in nature

— and ferulic acid, which neutralizes free radicals and helps to prevent UV damage, Titok Naturals Antioxidant Serum will keep your skin vibrant long after the summer days are over.

Hydrate with a HydraFacial Give yourself or a loved one the gift of clear, healthy skin with a HydraFacial treatment. The

Mending the Skin If your skin is already feeling the negative effects of UV rays, there’s a Titok Naturals line of regenerating facial products just for you. Boost collagen, elastin and enhance the texture and elasticity of mature skin with one — Titok Naturals Restoring Bio Serum Rx . A powerhouse combo of bio-sourced Epidermal Growth Factors, as well as passion fruit and lemon acids, help restore the youthfulness of the skin and encourage cellular regeneration resulting in a more youthful appearance.

Brightening Up Banish dark spots with products specifically created to lighten and brighten skin tone and improve hydration and boost collagen. Titok Naturals Illuminating Serum is a unique, pigment-clarifying serum that also addresses uneven production of melanin and acne-inflamed skin. It features ingredients like arbutin, a natural lightening and brightening agent and glycolic acid, which clears pores, promotes clarified skin tone, and lightens while boosting collagen synthesis.

New Esthetician The cofounder of Eva Claiborne Beauty & Wellness — Eva’s daughter Evike — was introduced in June 2022 as the newest esthetician, and is currently working on her master esthetician program in Tiburon. In just under a year, Evike has grown a loyal clientele while mastering the art of European skin care. Call to schedule a treatment with her.