Per this article, Radiesse restores elastin. Don’t know how reliable this info is, but it’s interesting.
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possible increase in elastin
Evaluating the Effects of Injected Calcium Hydroxylapatite on Changes in Human Skin Elastin and Proteoglycan Formation
Noelani González 1, David J Goldberg 1 2
Affiliations Expand
- PMID: 30893178
- DOI: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000001809
Abstract
Background: Previous studies have shown that calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHa) injected intradermally resulted in new collagen production at 6 months after injection, and a possible increase in elastin formation. In addition, a recent study showed the formation of new collagen, elastin, and angiogenesis after injection at 4 and 9 months.
Objective: To evaluate any changes in the presence of elastic fibers, proteoglycans, and elastin in photodamaged skin after injections with CaHa.
Methods and materials: Fifteen subjects underwent a punch biopsy of the right infra-auricular areas before and after injection of CaHa on day 180. Specimens were stained for elastic fibers, elastin, and proteoglycan presence.
Results: Quantitative analysis demonstrated a percent change in elastic fibers varying between 29% and 179% at 6 months in comparison with baseline. Subjects showed an increase in elastin between 12% and 66%. Subjects had positive mean percentage change in proteoglycans of 76.27% (t-test of 0.198).
Conclusion: This is the first study to show that CaHa can increase proteoglycans and echoed previous studies showing it can also have an effect on elastin, which indicates it can induce remodeling of all aspects of the extracellular matrix. Much larger and longer studies are required to confirm its unique impact on collagen, elastin, and proteoglycans.
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Good news! It could be an explanation why my face did not “drop” to create jowls as it often happens in ppl of my age. I use Radiesse on my jaw line approx once every 3-4 years. It apparently created a structure and support. I tried it once on my hands and it was very painful for approximately 24 hours, though the result was great. Wondering if Calcium Hydroxylapatite particles increase the total calcium to contribute to calcium deposits in arteries. I mean, is it safe?
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What is the purpose of using it on the jawline? Is it meant to change the bony contour, or is it meant to stimulate ECM remodeling?
Yes, with filler, some do it to create a sharper jawline, or to alter the shape a bit.
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Perhaps verteporfin+microneedling (or other therapy that stimulates wound healing like laser treatment) could rejuvenate elastin. Some hair transplant surgeons have already been using verteporfin as it shows some ability to regenerate excised hair follicles, in addition to reducing scarring.
The Longaker lab at Stanford has done much of the work on how verteporfin prevents scarring. If you have time, great recent lecture (with health implications for more than just skin regeneration):
In pigs (which have skin closer to humans) verteporfin can normalize the elastic ratio in response to a wound, which suggests that it regenerates elastin (which normally is poorly regenerated in adult wound healing [ref]).
Data from Elucidating the Role of Tissue Mechanics in Wound Repair and Regeneration (PhD thesis)
Verteporfin is already an approved photosensitizing drug (it generates ROS in response to certain light frequencies) for macular degeneration, but in wound healing it acts by inhibiting the YAP pathway. This prevents Engrailed-1+ fibroblast conversion, which would otherwise promote a scarring/fibrotic response.
Also of note, ELNs promoter is structured like a housekeeping gene [ref] (these are constitutively expressed genes—e.g the glycolytic enzyme GAPDH—that are necessary for basic cellular life, regardless of cell type), and it seems that the drop-off in tropoelastin synthesis during adulthood is due to post-transcriptional regulation. In particular, RNA interference from the miR29 family of micro RNA’s seems to play an important role, and miR29 antagonism can raise tropoelastin protein levels in adult human dermal fibroblasts, relative to controls. [ref].
It’s worth mentioning TGF-β, which is the ‘master regulator’ of fibrosis, and that miR29 family downregulation is a hallmark of TGF-β signaling, where it acts to increase translation of extracellular matrix proteins. [ref] So although miR29 antagonism might upregulate tropoelastin synthesis, by promoting collagen synthesis it would be expected to drive a fibrotic phenotype.
Not that you would want to upregulate TGF-β anyways, as its primary transcriptional response is the pro-aging cytokine IL-11, which (at least in certain tissues) is necessary for the TGF-β-mediated fibrotic response. [ref] I’m working on a separate post to highlight the fact that rapamycin activates TGF-β signaling, and that this very well might cap any associated increase in health/lifespan, especially with high doses and/or non-intermittent usage.
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Possible is a good starting position.
Now we need to know how localized this effect is and it seems to be highly localized, so not yet helpful in longevity.
Next question would be how to make it systemically effective if it is actually an elastin rejuvenator.
Now I’ve got to get me some hydroxylapatite to play with.
I have used CaHa toothpaste but the evidence is quite low for a real benefit that does not seem to match the hype in this application.
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And this is one of the reasons the production of elastin has to stop.
The other reason is the 70 year half-life
Radiesse is FDA-approved specifically for improving the contour of the jawline. This treatment helps to add definition and volume, enhancing the overall appearance of the jawline.
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This is a new product that looks pretty good, including published data. Saw it at the A4M conference last month. We have some on the way. It’s a bit pricey, but we get a decent discount.
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Another approach would be to lengthen the half-life (which of course is a function of degradation rate).
Healthy living (and some of the supplements and drugs taken here) might do this by reducing oxidative stress and lowering glucose (and fructose) levels within the extracellular matrix. This would reduce oxidative and glycative insults to elastin, lengthening its functional half-life.
Another possibility is to modulate enzymatic breakdown of elastin by inhibiting the elastases, MMPs, and cathepsins that can degrade it.
Sivelestat is a neutrophil elastase inhibitor approved for acute respiratory distress, and preliminary reports suggest efficacy in treating neuropathic pain(!) Some flavonoids like quercetin also inhibit neutrophil elastase, although whether the IC50 is low enough for clinically relevant inhibition I haven’t looked into.
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MMP inhibitors seem promising. Low dose doxy/MINO and/or low dose oral isotretinoin could help in theory.
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That looks interesting! Would love you to compare it to what I’m currently using.
They seem similar-ish? Also pricey, but I do get mine on sale.
Ingredients:
Human Umbilical Mesenchymal Stem Cell Conditioned Media, Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Hyaluronate, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Bis(tripeptide-1) Copper Acetate, Polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 60, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-37, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Dextran, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Pullulan, Arginine, Glutathione, Yeast Extract, Nannochloropsis Oculata Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citrullus lanatus (Watermelon) Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta (Lentil) Fruit Extract, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Phytate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Carbomer, Xanthan gum, Phenoxyethanol, Hexylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
KLOTHO SKIN
Water (aqua), Human Neonatal Fibroblast Conditioned Media, Human Adipose Stromal Cell Conditioned Media, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Squalane, Niacinamide, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Teprenone, Sambucus Nigra (Elderberry) Fruit Extract, Lycium Barbarum (Goji) Fruit Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate HCl, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil.
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$250 for a facial serum? Is it backed up by research and trials? 
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They have some studies listed on their website, as you scroll down.
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The Cleveland Clinic talks about Jojoba oil and skin health.
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The only thing in there that may somewhat work is astaxanthin and only at higher doses (12mg+).
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Sounds like pseduoscience, put bunch of ingredients that my have some remote effect on the skin (“the science”), throw it at the wall and see what sticks.
Until they have DBPC trial of their actual concoction, it’s all just speculations - sort of what we are doing for longevity.
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Yes - this is the fundamental problem I have with supplement companies more generally… lots of hype over small effect sizes or minimal data sets. They are mostly just marketing companies.
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