Infomation About Elastin

Elastin is a protein found in the skin and tissue of the body. It helps to keep skin flexible but tight, providing a bounce-back reaction if skin is pulled. Enough elastin in the skin means that the skin will return to its normal shape after a pull. It also helps keep skin smooth as it stretches to accommodate normal activities like flexing a muscle or opening and closing the mouth to talk or eat. Elastin tends to deplete as people age, resulting in wrinkled or stretched out skin. One might note the “pregnancy pouch” many women have many years after having a baby. In part, the leftover skin is a result of inadequate elastin, and also overstretching of the skin covering the abdomen during pregnancy. One may also note elastin listed as an ingredient in “anti-aging” skin care products. These elastin proteins are not from human sources-they typically are harvested from either cows or birds and in theory should promote better skin elasticity. Actually, elastin in skin products has been shown to have little effect on skin elasticity. It may form a coating on the skin that helps the skin better hold in moisture, but it will not provide more flexibility of the skin. Elastin in skin care products does not penetrate the skin layer, which would be needed in order to make the skin more elastic.