Your Guide to the Best Spa Packages in Vestavia Hills

Rejuvenation is a medical discipline focused on the practical reversal of the aging process.^[1]

Rejuvenation is distinct from life extension. Life extension strategies often study the causes of aging and try to oppose those causes to slow aging. Rejuvenation is the reversal of aging and thus requires a different strategy, namely repair of the damage that is associated with aging or replacement of damaged tissue with new tissue. Rejuvenation can be a means of life extension, but most life extension strategies do not involve rejuvenation.

Various myths tell the stories about the quest for rejuvenation. It was believed that magic or intervention of a supernatural power can bring back youth and many mythical adventurers set out on a journey to do that, for themselves, their relatives or some authority that sent them anonymously.

An ancient Chinese emperor sent out ships of young men and women to find a pearl that would rejuvenate him. This led to a myth among modern Chinese that Japan was founded by these people.

In some religions, people were to be rejuvenated after death prior to placing them in heaven.

The stories continued well into the 16th century. The Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León led an expedition around the Caribbean islands and into Florida to find the Fountain of Youth. Led by the rumors, the expedition continued the search and many perished. The Fountain was nowhere to be found as locals were unaware of its exact location.

Since the emergence of philosophy, sages and self-proclaimed wizards always made enormous efforts to find the secret of youth, both for themselves and their noble patrons and sponsors. It was widely believed that some potions may restore the youth.

Another commonly cited approach was attempting to transfer the essence of youth from young people to old. Some examples of this approach were sleeping with virgins or children (sometimes literally sleeping, not necessarily having sex),^[2] bathing in or drinking their blood.

The quest for rejuvenation reached its height with alchemy. All around Europe, and also beyond, alchemists were looking for the Philosopher's Stone, the mythical substance that, as it was believed, could not only turn lead into gold, but also prolong life and restore youth. Although the set goal was not achieved, alchemy paved the way to the scientific method and so to the medical advances of today.^{[citation needed]}

Serge Abrahamovitch Voronoff was a French surgeon born in Russia who gained fame for his technique of grafting monkey testicle tissue on to the testicles of men while working in France in the 1920s and 1930s. This was one of the first medically accepted rejuvenation therapies (before he was proved to be wrong around 1930–1940). The technique brought him a great deal of money, although he was already independently wealthy. As his work fell out of favor, he went from being a highly respected surgeon to a subject of ridicule. By the early 1930s, over 500 men had been treated in France by his rejuvenation technique, and thousands more around the world, such as in a special clinic set up in Algiers.^[3] Noteworthy people who had the surgery included Harold McCormick, chairman of the board of International Harvester Company,^[4] and the aging premier of Turkey.^[5]

Rejuvenation technology and its effects on individuals and society have long been a subject of science fiction. The Misspent Youth and Commonwealth Saga by Peter F. Hamilton are among the most well known examples of this, dealing with the short- and long-term effects of a near perfect 80-year-old to 20-year-old body change with mind intact. The less perfect rejuvenation featured in the Mars trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson results in long-term memory loss and sheer boredom that comes with extreme age. The post-mortal characters in the Revelation Space series have long-term or essentially infinite lifespans, and sheer boredom induces them to undertake activities of extreme risk.

Aging is the accumulation of damage to macromolecules, cells, tissues and organs in and on the body which, when it can no longer be tolerated by an organism, ultimately leads to its death. If any of that damage can be repaired, the result is rejuvenation.

There have been many experiments which have been shown to increase the maximum life span of laboratory animals,^{[citation needed]} thereby achieving life extension. A few experimental methods such as replacing hormones to youthful levels have had considerable success in partially rejuvenating laboratory animals and humans. A 2011 experiment involved breeding genetically manipulated mice that lacked an enzyme called telomerase, causing the mice to age prematurely and suffer ailments. When the mice were given injections to reactivate the enzyme, it repaired the damaged tissues and reversed the signs of aging.^[6] There are at least eight important hormones that decline with age: 1. human growth hormone (HGH); 2. the sexual hormones: testosterone or oestrogen/progesterone; 3. erythropoietin (EPO); 4. insulin; 5. DHEA; 6. melatonin; 7. thyroid; 8. pregnenolone. In theory, if all or some of these hormones are replaced, the body will respond to them as it did when it was younger, thus repairing and restoring many body functions. In line with this, recent experiments show that heterochronic parabiosis, i.e. connecting the circulatory systems of young and old animal, leads to the rejuvenation of the old animal, including restoration of proper stem cell function. Similar experiments show that grafting old muscles into young hosts leads to their complete restoration, whereas grafting young muscles into old hosts does not. These experiments show that aging is mediated by systemic environment, rather than being an intrinsic cell property.^{[citation needed]} Clinical trials based on transfusion of young blood were scheduled to begin in 2014.^[7] Another intervention that is gaining popularity is epigenetic reprogramming.^[8] Through the use of Yamanaka factors, aged cells can revert to a younger state. It has been demonstrated that reprogramming induces a youthful epigenetic state and can restore vision after injury.^[9] Only through reprogramming were stochastic epigenetic variations, which accumulate with age, successfully reversed, as demonstrated by a stochastic data-based clock.^[10]

Most attempts at genetic repair have traditionally involved the use of a retrovirus to insert a new gene into a random position on a chromosome. But by attaching zinc fingers (which determine where transcription factors bind) to endonucleases (which break DNA strands), homologous recombination can be induced to correct and replace defective (or undesired) DNA sequences. The first applications of this technology are to isolate stem cells from the bone marrow of patients having blood disease mutations, to correct those mutations in laboratory dishes using zinc finger endonucleases and to transplant the stem cells back into the patients.^[11] More recent efforts leverage CRISPR-Cas systems or adeno-associated viruses (AAVs).

Enhanced DNA repair has been proposed as a potential rejuvenation strategy.^[12]

Stem cell regenerative medicine uses three different strategies:

1. Implantation of stem cells from culture into an existing tissue structure
2. Implantation of stem cells into a tissue scaffold that guides restoration
3. Induction of residual cells of a tissue structure to regenerate the necessary body part

A salamander can not only regenerate a limb, but can regenerate the lens or retina of an eye and can regenerate an intestine. For regeneration the salamander tissues form a blastema by de-differentiation of mesenchymal cells, and the blastema functions as a self-organizing system to regenerate the limb.^[13]

Yet another option involves cosmetic changes to the individual to create the appearance of youth. These are generally superficial and do little to make the person healthier or live longer, but the real improvement in a person's appearance may elevate their mood and have positive side effects normally correlated with happiness. Cosmetic surgery is a large industry offering treatments such as removal of wrinkles ("face lift"), removal of extra fat (liposuction) and reshaping or augmentation of various body parts (abdomen, breasts, face).

There are also, as commonly found throughout history, many fake rejuvenation products that have been shown to be ineffective. Chief among these are powders, sprays, gels, and homeopathic substances that claim to contain growth hormones. Authentic growth hormones are only effective when injected, mainly due to the fact that the 191-amino acid protein is too large to be absorbed through the mucous membranes, and would be broken up in the stomach if swallowed.

The Mprize scientific competition is under way to deliver on the mission of extending healthy human life. It directly accelerates the development of revolutionary new life extension therapies by awarding two cash prizes: one to the research team that breaks the world record for the oldest-ever mouse; and one to the team that develops the most successful late-onset rejuvenation. Current Mprize winner for rejuvenation is Steven Spindler. Caloric restriction (CR), the consumption of fewer calories while avoiding malnutrition, was applied as a robust method of decelerating aging and the development of age-related diseases.^[14]

In 2020, scientists reported the reversion of ageing in human cells through nuclear reprogramming to pluripotency. Such process included resetting of epigenetic clock, reduction of the inflammatory profile in chondrocytes and restoration of youthful regenerative response to aged, human muscle stem cells, without abolishing cellular identity.^[15]

The biomedical gerontologist Aubrey de Grey has initiated a project, strategies for engineered negligible senescence (SENS), to study how to reverse the damage caused by aging. He has proposed seven strategies for what he calls the seven deadly sins of aging:^[16]

1. Cell loss can be repaired (reversed) just by suitable exercise in the case of muscle. For other tissues it needs various growth factors to stimulate cell division, or in some cases it needs stem cells.
2. Senescent cells can be removed by activating the immune system against them. Or they can be destroyed by gene therapy to introduce "suicide genes" that only kill senescent cells.
3. Protein cross-linking can largely be reversed by drugs that break the links. But to break some of the cross-links we may need to develop enzymatic methods.
4. Extracellular garbage (like amyloid) can be eliminated by vaccination that gets immune cells to "eat" the garbage.
5. For intracellular junk we need to introduce new enzymes, possibly enzymes from soil bacteria, that can degrade the junk (lipofuscin) that our own natural enzymes cannot degrade.
6. For mitochondrial mutations the plan is not to repair them but to prevent harm from the mutations by putting suitably modified copies of the mitochondrial genes into the cell nucleus by gene therapy. The mitochondrial DNA experiences a high degree of mutagenic damage because most free radicals are generated in the mitochondria. A copy of the mitochondrial DNA located in the nucleus will be better protected from free radicals, and there will be better DNA repair when damage occurs. All mitochondrial proteins would then be imported into the mitochondria.
7. For cancer (the most lethal consequence of mutations) the strategy is to use gene therapy to delete the genes for telomerase and to eliminate telomerase-independent mechanisms of turning normal cells into "immortal" cancer cells. To compensate for the loss of telomerase in stem cells we would introduce new stem cells every decade or so.

In 2009, Aubrey de Grey co-founded the SENS Foundation to expedite progress in the above-listed areas.

• Rejuvenation Research Editor: Aubrey de Grey. Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. ISSN 1549-1684 – Published Bimonthly.

• Media related to Rejuvenation (aging) at Wikimedia Commons

 

Skin care products help clean, protect, and improve the skin. In the U.S., the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act groups these products into two main categories: cosmetics and drugs. Drugs must go through a strict approval process before they can be sold. Cosmetics, on the other hand, do not need FDA approval before being sold, though they are still regulated. Cosmetics are used to cleanse or enhance appearance, like face washes and moisturizers. Medications are meant to treat or prevent health issues, such as acne creams or sunscreen. Some products, like dandruff shampoos and moisturizing sunscreens, fit into both categories.^[1][8] Cosmeceuticals, although not officially recognized by the FDA, combine cosmetics with "biologically active ingredients" that may have health benefits. Nutricosmetics are products taken by mouth instead of being applied to the skin.

Here are some common ingredients and what they do:

• Hyaluronic acid: Keeps skin hydrated.
• Retinol: Helps with wrinkles and acne.
• Vitamin C: Brightens skin and protects from damage.
• Niacinamide: Reduces redness and oil.
• Salicylic acid: Helps with acne.
• Glycolic acid: Removes dead skin cells.
• Ceramides: Strengthen skin and keep it moisturized.
• Peptides: Help skin stay firm and smooth.

The labels on cleansing and skin care products can be confusing because they use unclear words like "mild" or "gentle". This makes it hard to know how well a product works or what it actually does. Just because a product has a certain ingredient doesn't mean it is effective—how well it works depends on the whole formula and how it is used. People often mix up what a product does (like moisturizing) with what an ingredient does (like glycerin keeping moisture in or petrolatum protecting the skin).^[3]

Skin care interventions consist of applying one or more products to specific areas of the skin in a specific order. A skin care routine may consist of the following steps:

• Cleansing: Cleansers remove dirt, oil, and impurities from the skin. Their application process may include washing with water or they may be formulated as soapless or "no-rinse".
• Exfoliation: Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells and promotes cell turnover. This can be done using physical exfoliants (scrubs) or chemical exfoliants (AHAs and BHAs). Over-exfoliation should be avoided to prevent irritation.
• Toning: Toners help balance the skin's pH and prepare it for moisturizing. They may also provide additional benefits, such as hydration, soothing effects, or acne prevention.
• Targeted treatment: Specialized products such as serums, masks, and eye cream contain active ingredients to address specific skin concerns.
• Moisturizing: Moisturizing helps to lock in hydration and maintain the skin's natural barrier. Different formulations exist for different skin types, such as lightweight gels for oily skin and rich creams for dry skin.

Instructions for how much to use, how often, and for how long are not always clear.^[3]

Dermatologists and estheticians offer professional skin care services. Consulting with a dermatologist is recommended for persistent or severe skin conditions. They can prescribe medications and customized skin care treatments. Some example procedures include chemical peels, laser resurfacing, photorejuvenation, photodynamic therapy, dermabrasion and microdermabrasion, collagen induction therapy, injectable fillers, botox injection,^[9] retinol therapy, ultrasonic skin treatment, and hair removal.^[10]

Guidelines for neonatal skin care have been developed. Nevertheless, the pediatric and dermatological communities have not reached a consensus on best cleansing practices, as good quality scientific evidence is scarce.^[11] Immersion in water seems superior to washing alone, and use of synthetic detergents or mild liquid baby cleansers seems comparable or superior to water alone.^[11]

Dermatologists normally recommend that children wash their skin with a mild cleanser, use moisturizing lotion as needed, and wear sunscreen every day.^[12]

Elaborate skin care routines are promoted on social media platforms such as TikTok.^[13] This has led to children and teens using harsh and inappropriate products, such as anti-aging products, which provide no benefit to young skin and may be harmful.^[13] It has also encouraged children and teens to wear sunscreen every day.^[13]

Skin ageing is associated with increased skin vulnerability,^[14] and the texture and colour of the skin can change over time. Although wrinkles occur naturally due to ageing, smoking can intensify the appearance of wrinkles. Sunspots, dryness, wrinkles, and melanomas can occur from UV exposure over time, whether it be through the sun or through tanning beds. Exposure to UV can make skin less elastic. Skin problems including pruritus are common in the elderly but are often inadequately addressed.^[15] A literature review of studies assessing the maintenance of skin integrity in the elderly found most studies to have low levels of evidence, but the review concluded that skin-cleansing with synthetic detergents or amphoteric surfactants induced less skin dryness than using soap and water.^[14] Moisturizers with humectants helped with skin dryness and skin barrier occlusive reduced skin injuries.^[14] When taking baths or showers, using warm water rather than hot water can aid with dryness.

There is limited evidence that moisturizing soap bar; combinations of water soak, oil soak, and lotion are effective in maintaining the skin integrity of elderly people when compared to standard care.^[16]

Though the sun is beneficial in order for the human body to get its daily dose of vitamin D, unprotected excessive sunlight can cause extreme damage to the skin. Ultraviolet (UVA and UVB) radiation in the sun's rays can cause sunburn in varying degrees, early ageing and an increased risk of skin cancer.^[17] UV exposure can cause patches of uneven skin tone and dry out the skin. It can reduce skin's elasticity and encourage sagging and wrinkle formation.

Sunscreen can protect the skin from sun damage; sunscreen should be applied at least 20 minutes before exposure and should be re-applied every four hours. Sunscreen should be applied to all areas of the skin that will be exposed to sunlight, and at least a tablespoon (25 ml) should be applied to each limb, the face, chest, and back, to ensure thorough coverage. Many tinted moisturizers, foundations and primers now contain some form of SPF.

Sunscreens may come in the form of creams, gels or lotions; their SPF number indicates their effectiveness in protecting the skin from the sun's radiation. There are sunscreens available to suit every skin type; in particular, those with oily skin should choose non-comedogenic sunscreens; those with dry skins should choose sunscreens with moisturizers to help keep skin hydrated, and those with sensitive skin should choose unscented, hypoallergenic sunscreen and spot-test in an inconspicuous place (such as the inside of the elbow or behind the ear) to ensure that it does not irritate the skin.

Applying moisturizer twice a day may strengthen the skin’s natural barrier, but how well it works depends on the formulation of the moisturizer. Even on healthy skin, moisturizers can help protect against things that might cause irritation. 2.5% or 5% dexpanthenol is known to reduce irritation.^[3] Products made for sensitive skin are usually labeled as gentle, fragrance-free, and hypoallergenic.

Healthy sebaceous glands produce a substance called sebum, a naturally healthy skin lubricant.^[18][13] When the skin produces excessive sebum, it becomes heavy and thick in texture, known as oily skin.^[13] Oily skin is typified by shininess, blemishes and pimples.^[18] The oily-skin type is not necessarily bad, since such skin is less prone to wrinkling, or other signs of ageing,^[18] because the oil helps to keep needed moisture locked into the epidermis (outermost layer of skin). The negative aspect of the oily-skin type is that oily complexions are especially susceptible to clogged pores, blackheads, and buildup of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin.^[18] Oily skin can be sallow and rough in texture and tends to have large, clearly visible pores everywhere, except around the eyes and neck.^[18] A high glycemic-index diet and dairy products (except for cheese) consumption increase IGF-1 generation, which in turn increases sebum production.^[13] Overwashing the skin does not cause sebum overproduction but may cause dryness; it is possible to have skin that is both dry and oily.^[13]

Dry skin does not have enough moisture. It will show signs like flaking, tightness, roughness, redness, or cracks. If the skin is very dry, it might also look swollen or extra soft. Common areas that get dry include the face, scalp, and back—especially when exposed to air or clothing. However, places where the skin folds, like under the arms, between the toes, and around the groin, usually do not get as dry.^[3]

Washing dry skin should be done daily using lukewarm water (less than 37 °C (99 °F)). Avoid long or frequent baths and showers. Try to keep bath time under five minutes per day. If the skin is extremely dry, avoid using regular soap and water, as they can make dryness worse. Instead, use gentle, alkali-free cleansers with a pH of 4 to 5, especially ones with ingredients like urea, lactic acid, or glycerin, which help keep moisture in.^[3]

Moisturizing dry skin at least twice a day is important. If the skin is very dry, moisturizing more often may help. Thicker, oil-based creams work best for very dry skin. Aqueous cream should be avoided. It also helps to apply a skin protectant. Using a moisturizer with niacinamide and glycerin twice a day has been shown to strengthen the skin and reduce dryness, versus moisturizers without niacinamide.^[3]

To keep the skin healthy, it's best to clean it gently every day with a no-rinse cleanser (pH 5.5). Using soap and water takes more time and does not work as well. After cleaning, the skin should be dried gently—don’t scrub, as this can damage the skin’s natural barrier. A protective cream or ointment, such as zinc oxide, petroleum jelly, or dimethicone, should be applied to shield the skin. Cleaning should be done after every accident to limit contact with urine or stool.^[3]

Acne is defined by clogged pores and bacteria. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, between 40 and 50 million Americans develop acne each year.^[19] Although many associate acne with adolescence, acne can occur at any age, with its causes including heredity, hormones, menstruation, food, and emotional stress.^[19]

Acne is treated with ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and retinoids. Those with inflammatory acne should exfoliate with caution as the procedure may make conditions worse and consult a dermatologist before treatment.^[19] Benzoyl peroxide is a drying agent and is typically found in concentrations of 2.5 - 10%.^[20]

Dermatitis is a term used for different types of skin inflammation, typically characterized by itchiness, redness and a rash.^[21] Dermatitis is also called eczema but the same term is often used for the most common type of skin inflammation, atopic dermatitis.^[22] Dermatitis can be managed with gentle skincare, moisturization, and anti-inflammatory treatments.

Psoriasis is a long-lasting, noncontagious autoimmune disease characterized by patches of abnormal skin.^[23] Topical skin care agents are typically used for mild disease.

Rosacea is a long-term skin condition that typically causes redness, visible blood vessels, and small bumps on the face.^[24] Medications with good evidence include topical metronidazole,^[25] ivermectin and azelaic acid.^[26]

Hyperpigmentation, also known as dark spots, is the darkening of an area of skin or nails caused by increased melanin. Many topical treatments disrupt the synthesis of melanin by inhibiting the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase.

Anti-aging creams are predominantly moisturizer-based skin care products marketed with unproven claims of making the consumer look younger by reducing, masking or preventing signs of skin aging such as wrinkles.^[28] In the United States, anti-aging products are commonly marketed with false health claims, and are deemed to be among various scams on consumers.^[29][30]

Pressure sores, also called bedsores or pressure ulcers, are injuries to the skin and tissue caused by staying in one position for too long. To treat them, the skin should be washed with lukewarm water and dried completely, especially in areas where skin touches skin, like between the toes, under the breasts, in the groin, and under the arms. Harsh soaps should be avoided—it is better to use gentle, pH-balanced cleansers. Moisturizers can help protect the skin, but they shouldn’t be used between the toes. It is best to apply a hypoallergenic moisturizer twice a day, especially on the arms and legs, and avoid rubbing the skin too hard.^[3]

Wound healing is a complex and fragile process in which the skin repairs itself after injury. It is susceptible to interruption or failure that creates non-healing chronic wounds.^[31]

Radiation induces skin reactions in the treated area, particularly in the axilla, head and neck, perineum and skin fold regions.^[32] Formulations with moisturising, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and wound healing properties are often used, but no preferred approach or individual product has been identified as best practice.^[32][33] Soft silicone dressings that act as barriers to friction may be helpful.^[32] In breast cancer, calendula cream may reduce the severity of radiation effects on the dark spot corrector.^[33][34] Deodorant use after completing radiation treatment has been controversial but is now recommended for practice.^[34]

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors are medications used in cancer treatment. These medications commonly cause skin and nail problems, including rashes, dry skin and paronychia.^[35] Preventive intensive moisturizing with emollient ointments several times, avoidance of water-based creams and water soaks (although in certain circumstances white vinegar or potassium permanganate soaks may help), protection the skin from excessive exposure to sunshine, and soap substitutes which are less dehydrating for the skin than normal soaps, as well as shampoos that reduce the risk of scalp folliculitis, are recommended. Treatment measures with topical antibiotic medication can be helpful.^[35][36][37]