title: Efficacy of micronutrient supplementation on skin aging and seasonal variation: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several studies have confirmed dramatic changes in skin surface parameters during the winter months. Although there are many studies supporting the positive effects of topical treatment, there are no published studies demonstrating the effects of oral supplementation in the prevention of negative skin changes during winter. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an oral micronutrient supplement in preventing the negative effects of winter weather on skin quality using noninvasive biometrologic instruments.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study included 80 healthy female volunteers aged 35-55 years with phototype II-IV skin. Randomization was balanced. Two tablets of a micronutrient supplement (Perfectil® Platinum) or placebo were administered once daily for 4 months. The volunteers were examined at baseline, after 4 months, and 6 weeks after termination of treatment (month 5.5). The evaluation included skin microrelief by Visioscan® as the main outcome, and the secondary outcomes were results on standard macrophotography, skin tension by Reviscometer®, skin high-frequency ultrasound, and self-assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For all pseudoroughness and microrelief indicators, there was a significant increase from baseline to month 4 in the placebo group (P<0.05) but no change in the active group. Descriptive statistics for the mean minimum, mean maximum, and minimum to maximum ratio on the nonexposed study zone showed a significant and dramatic difference between baseline and month 4 and between baseline and month 5.5 (P<0.05) in the active group, indicating decreasing anisotropy of the skin. High-frequency ultrasound on the exposed study zone revealed that skin thickness was significantly decreased in the placebo group during winter but was stable in the treated group (P<0.01). The photography scaling and self-assessment questionnaire revealed no significant changes in either group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate that the skin is prone to seasonal changes during winter, particularly in exposed areas. The data also indicate that oral supplementation can be a safe treatment, with no serious side effects, and may prevent or even eliminate the negative effects of winter on the skin.
authors.affiliation: Center for Studies and Research on the Integument (CERT), Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Besançon, Besançon, France ; Clinical Investigation Center, CIC-BT 506, CHRU Besançon, France.
authors.forename: Ferial
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fanian
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mac-Mary
authors.forename: Adeline
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jeudy
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lihoreau
authors.forename: Rafat
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Messikh
authors.forename: Jean-Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Ortonne
authors.forename: Jean-Marie
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sainthillier
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Elkhyat
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guichard
authors.forename: Kamran Hejazi
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kenari
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Humbert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012621:Seasons; D012867:Skin / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D018977:Micronutrients
keywords: Reviscometer®; Visioscan®; elasticity; high-frequency ultrasound; nutraceuticals; oral supplementation; relief; skin; winter variation