Edit What is Elastin?

<h3>We can assess our own levels of elastin by pinching the back of our hand; If we have low levels of elastin it may take several seconds for the skin to shrink back.</h3> <h2>What is Elastin?</h2> <div>Elastin is a complex stretchy protein structure made up of amino acids (proline, glycine, desmosine and isodesmosine), and grouped in short sequences. It is actively manufactured in the body until adolescence, when it makes up 2 – 4 % of the dry-weight of the dermis.</div> <div>Our stretchy ligaments contain 50% dry-weight elastin, so the low amount of elastin in our skin might sound like only a very small percentage in comparison. Thankfully, elastin is a long-lived protein that degrades very slowly throughout our lives, only reaching its half-life when we are around 75yrs old. </div> <div> </div> <div>This means we should have enough elastin to last us a lifetime, however we shouldn’t take elastin for granted, because it can get damaged, and if it does, it is difficult for the body to heal itself. Therefore, prevention and preventative treatments are key to maintaining healthy elastin levels.</div> <div> </div> <h3>What does elastin do?</h3> <div>Elastin’s main function is to provide flexibility to the supportive and protective Extracellular Matrix (ECM), which is the scaffolding that houses our cells. It allows repetitive and reversible stretching and recoil of the body’s tissues. It is particularly important in our most stretchy structures, including arteries, lungs, cartilage, ligament and skin, allowing them to transform their shape and then spring back. More recently, we have discovered that elastin fibres play a role in cell communications to adjust their function and growth.</div> <div> </div> <h2>How is elastin different from collagen?</h2> <div>Collagen provides the structure, strength and support of the dermis, making up approximately 75% of its dry weight. We often hear collagen and elastin being grouped together when they are spoken about. This is because they are the main structural proteins of the ECM (Extracellular Matrix). Collagen provides the skin’s strength and main structure, while the small but essential percentage of elastin provides elasticity and resilience. </div> <div> </div> <h3><em>The relationship between collagen and elastin is a bit like the fabric of your leggings, where the cotton is the main structural fabric, and the Lycra, although only a tiny percentage, provides the stretch that allows them to fit and not become baggy.</em></h3>

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