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Skin, Hair & Nails
A Berry Good Anti-Wrinkle Cream That Also Protects Against Skin Damage
Date: 26/05/09
With the latest news reporting that ‘binge tanning’ in Britain has caused the amount of Britons diagnosed with the deadliest form of skin cancer to top 10,000 each year, you may be interested to know that you can get protection against skin damage (and wrinkles) from berries.
A smoothy for your face
There is now a great deal of research showing that many compounds in berries, whether applied to the skin or eaten in the form of whole fruit, are among the most protective nutrients your body can utilize.
The latest news: using a topical application of the antioxidant ellagic acid – an antioxidant found in numerous fruits, vegetables and nuts, especially raspberries, strawberries and cranberries can prevent collagen destruction and slow down the skin’s inflammatory response to damage. This effect was seen in both human skin cells and the skin of hairless mice after continuing exposure to UVB rays, the sun's skin–damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Ellagic Acid and Wrinkles
Two separate studies show that topical application of the antioxidants ellagic acid and vitamin A can have a positive impact on damaged and ageing skin. These two natural ingredients can specifically help prevent the factors that cause wrinkles.
Previous research has indicated that ellagic acid and vitamin A can protect the skin against sun damage, but the reason for this benefit was not known. Now researchers from Hallym University in the Republic of Korea think have found the reason after a two part study and presented their results at the Experimental Biology 2009 meeting in New Orleans.
The researchers found that, in human skin cells, ellagic acid worked to protect against UV damage by blocking production of MMP (matrix metalloproteinase enzymes that break down collagen in damaged skin cells) and by reducing the expression of ICAM (a molecule involved in inflammation).
The researchers say the results demonstrate that ellagic acid works to prevent wrinkle formation and photo-ageing caused by UV destruction of collagen and inflammatory response. Ellagic acid also helped to prevent thickening of the skin
Vitamin A and Wrinkles
To determine the effectiveness of vitamin A (retinol) lotion on skin, researchers applied a lotion containing 0.4 per cent retinol to the upper inner arms of 36 volunteers (average age, 87 years) up to three times weekly for 24 weeks. The lotion was applied to one arm and a placebo was applied to the opposite one.
The researchers evaluated wrinkles, roughness, and overall severity of ageing for each volunteer before treatment and at two, four, eight, 16, and 24 weeks after treatment started. They also took a biopsy specimen at the start and end of the study.
The participants found that retinol caused significant induction of glycosaminoglycan, a substance that helps retain water in the skin. Topical retinal also increased the production of collagen, which helps form new skin. Therefore, the researchers concluded “retinol-treated aged skin is more likely to withstand skin injury…along with improved appearance.” Retinol has also been found to be helpful in treating age spots.
How to Prevent Wrinkles and skin damage
There are some lifestyle steps you can take to help prevent and reduce wrinkles and avoid dry skin. They include:
* Drink plenty of water
* Don’t smoke
* Use sunscreen
* Wear sunglasses to avoid crows’ feet
* Use a lotion that contains alpha-hydroxy acids
* Promote blood circulation by exercising daily
I leave you with this final message from Sara Hiom, Cancer Research UK's director of health information: "With the rates of malignant melanoma in the UK rising faster than any other cancer, it's more important than ever that people are aware of the dangers of getting burnt, either in the sun or from using sunbeds... We advise people to enjoy the sun safely by spending time in the shade in the middle of the day, covering up with appropriate cool clothing and sunglasses and applying plenty of sun cream of at least factor 15."
Related reading:
'Wrong’ Sunlight Can Lower Your Vitamin D Levels
Green Tea And CoQ10 May Protect Against Gum And Heart Disease
Sources:
‘Deadly skin cancer cases rising’ published online 25.05.09, news.bbc.co.uk
‘Ellagic Acid and Vitamin A May Reduce Wrinkles’ by Deborah Mitchell, published online 01.05.09, seniors-health-medicare.suite101.com
‘Antioxidant Found In Berries, Other Foods Prevents UV Skin Damage That Leads To Wrinkles’ published online 23.04.09, sciencedaily.com
‘Antioxidant ellagic acid prevents UV skin damage that leads to wrinkles’ published online, 22.04.09, news-medical.net
Back to topA smoothy for your face
There is now a great deal of research showing that many compounds in berries, whether applied to the skin or eaten in the form of whole fruit, are among the most protective nutrients your body can utilize.
The latest news: using a topical application of the antioxidant ellagic acid – an antioxidant found in numerous fruits, vegetables and nuts, especially raspberries, strawberries and cranberries can prevent collagen destruction and slow down the skin’s inflammatory response to damage. This effect was seen in both human skin cells and the skin of hairless mice after continuing exposure to UVB rays, the sun's skin–damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Ellagic Acid and Wrinkles
Two separate studies show that topical application of the antioxidants ellagic acid and vitamin A can have a positive impact on damaged and ageing skin. These two natural ingredients can specifically help prevent the factors that cause wrinkles.
Previous research has indicated that ellagic acid and vitamin A can protect the skin against sun damage, but the reason for this benefit was not known. Now researchers from Hallym University in the Republic of Korea think have found the reason after a two part study and presented their results at the Experimental Biology 2009 meeting in New Orleans.
The researchers found that, in human skin cells, ellagic acid worked to protect against UV damage by blocking production of MMP (matrix metalloproteinase enzymes that break down collagen in damaged skin cells) and by reducing the expression of ICAM (a molecule involved in inflammation).
The researchers say the results demonstrate that ellagic acid works to prevent wrinkle formation and photo-ageing caused by UV destruction of collagen and inflammatory response. Ellagic acid also helped to prevent thickening of the skin
Vitamin A and Wrinkles
To determine the effectiveness of vitamin A (retinol) lotion on skin, researchers applied a lotion containing 0.4 per cent retinol to the upper inner arms of 36 volunteers (average age, 87 years) up to three times weekly for 24 weeks. The lotion was applied to one arm and a placebo was applied to the opposite one.
The researchers evaluated wrinkles, roughness, and overall severity of ageing for each volunteer before treatment and at two, four, eight, 16, and 24 weeks after treatment started. They also took a biopsy specimen at the start and end of the study.
The participants found that retinol caused significant induction of glycosaminoglycan, a substance that helps retain water in the skin. Topical retinal also increased the production of collagen, which helps form new skin. Therefore, the researchers concluded “retinol-treated aged skin is more likely to withstand skin injury…along with improved appearance.” Retinol has also been found to be helpful in treating age spots.
How to Prevent Wrinkles and skin damage
There are some lifestyle steps you can take to help prevent and reduce wrinkles and avoid dry skin. They include:
* Drink plenty of water
* Don’t smoke
* Use sunscreen
* Wear sunglasses to avoid crows’ feet
* Use a lotion that contains alpha-hydroxy acids
* Promote blood circulation by exercising daily
I leave you with this final message from Sara Hiom, Cancer Research UK's director of health information: "With the rates of malignant melanoma in the UK rising faster than any other cancer, it's more important than ever that people are aware of the dangers of getting burnt, either in the sun or from using sunbeds... We advise people to enjoy the sun safely by spending time in the shade in the middle of the day, covering up with appropriate cool clothing and sunglasses and applying plenty of sun cream of at least factor 15."
Related reading:
'Wrong’ Sunlight Can Lower Your Vitamin D Levels
Green Tea And CoQ10 May Protect Against Gum And Heart Disease
Sources:
‘Deadly skin cancer cases rising’ published online 25.05.09, news.bbc.co.uk
‘Ellagic Acid and Vitamin A May Reduce Wrinkles’ by Deborah Mitchell, published online 01.05.09, seniors-health-medicare.suite101.com
‘Antioxidant Found In Berries, Other Foods Prevents UV Skin Damage That Leads To Wrinkles’ published online 23.04.09, sciencedaily.com
‘Antioxidant ellagic acid prevents UV skin damage that leads to wrinkles’ published online, 22.04.09, news-medical.net
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