In molecular biology, elastase is an enzyme from the class of proteases, or peptidases, that break down the protein elastin, an elastic fiber that, together with collagen, determines the mechanical properties of connective tissue, providing skin which is firm, full and taut to a greater or lesser degree depending on its quality and quantity.
Elastin is also an important constituent of lung and vein tissues where, as in the skin, it is subject to repeat expansion and contraction.
The primary structural components of the dermal matrix are collagen fibres, elastin fibres and glycosaminoglycans.
All three of these decrease and deteriorate in quality and quantity due to intrinsic and avoidable extrinsic factors to give the appearance of "aging."
Although rarely used to optimal effect, an array of stimulants and protectants of collagen, and to a far lesser extent, glycosaminoglycans are available. [Refer Mature Skin Analysis — Firmness and Elasticity of Healthy vs. Unhealthy Mature Skin.]
Elastin remains an orphan, with no widely available solutions for its protection or replacement.
Accordingly, while you may potentially increase your skin's volume to give it an appearance of greater fullness, you cannot regain its ability to recoil and remain inherently taut as it was in youth.
As if to add insult to injury, elastin production more or less stops by the end of the teenage years, long before most will consider its protection.
Some findings suggest zinc may benefit elastin, however useful forms and concentrations of zinc are absent from most skincare.
Recently, zinc sulphate was removed from the revised Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Formulation although marketing communicates generally enhanced skin protection when compared with the original C + E Formulation.
Unfortunately both very low and very high concentrations of zinc have been seen to increase elastase activity (increasing the rate of elastin breakdown), such topical and systemic zinc supplementation is problematic.
Thiotaine and a chemical compound found in Gernetic Anti-Radical Eye Gel may help prevent elastase activity.
To avoid loss of high quality elastin, at minimum don't smoke, always confer optimal photoprotection for your skin and avoid rough or unnecessary treatment — this includes facials with massage which subject the skin to movement while providing no considerable or lasting benefit.