Double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of green tea extracts in the clinical and histologic appearance of photoaging skin.
BACKGROUND
Green tea extracts have gained popularity as ingredients in topical skin care preparations to treat aging skin. Green tea polyphenolic compounds have significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, and studies suggest that these extracts help mediate ultraviolet radiation damage.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of a combination regimen of topical and oral green tea supplementation on the clinical and histologic characteristics of photoaging.


METHODS
Forty women with moderate photoaging were randomized to either a combination regimen of 10% green tea cream and 300 mg twice-daily green tea oral supplementation or a placebo regimen for 8 weeks.


RESULTS
No significant differences in clinical grading were found between the green tea-treated and placebo groups, other than higher subjective scores of irritation in the green tea-treated group. Histologic grading of skin biopsies did show significant improvement in the elastic tissue content of treated specimens (p<.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Participants treated with a combination regimen of topical and oral green tea showed histologic improvement in elastic tissue content. Green tea polyphenols have been postulated to protect human skin from the cutaneous signs of photoaging, but clinically significant changes could not be detected. Longer supplementation may be required for clinically observable improvements.
Chiu
Annie E
AE
Department of Dermatology, Emory University, USA.
Chan
Joanna L
JL
Kern
Dale G
DG
Kohler
Sabine
S
Rehmus
Wingfield E
WE
Kimball
Alexa B
AB
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000287:Administration, Topical; D028241:Camellia sinensis; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004643:Emollients; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010789:Phototherapy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D004643:Emollients; D010936:Plant Extracts