Protective effects of topical antioxidants in humans.
Human studies have convincingly demonstrated pronounced photoprotective effects of 'natural' and synthetic antioxidants when applied topically before UVR exposure. Particularly with respect to UVB-induced skin damage such as erythema formation, the photoprotective effects of antioxidants are significant when applied in distinct mixtures in appropriate vehicles. Topical application of such combinations may result in a sustained antioxidant capacity of the skin, possibly due to antioxidant synergisms. And, since UVA-induced skin alterations are believed to be largely determined by oxidative processes [26], topical administration of antioxidants might be particularly promising [27, 28]. In fact, topical application of antioxidants or antioxidant mixtures resulted in a remarkable increase in the minimal dose to induce immediate pigment darkening after UVA exposure [18, 23] and diminished the severity of UVA-induced photodermatoses [22] in humans. In conclusion, regular application of skin care products containing antioxidants may be of the utmost benefit in efficiently preparing our skin against exogenous oxidative stressors occurring during daily life. Furthermore, sunscreening agents may also benefit from combination with antioxidants resulting in increased safety and efficacy of such photoprotective products [11, 29].
Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, Calif., USA.
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D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010126:Ozone / Q000009:adverse effects; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents; D013552:Swine; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000393:Air Pollutants; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D005419:Flavonoids; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D013473:Sunscreening Agents; D014810:Vitamin E; D010126:Ozone; D001205:Ascorbic Acid