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Skin wrinkles and blemishes - Highlights

Description

An in-depth report on the treatment and prevention of skin wrinkles and blemishes.

Alternative Names

Liver spots; Pupura; Seborrheic keratoses; Cosmetic surgery; Plastic surgery

Highlights:

Prevention

  • One study found that applying a cream containing a UVA and UVB protective sunscreen every day helped prevent sun-related skin damage.
  • Research finds that sunscreens containing ecamsule (Anthelios SX) are highly effective at absorbing UVA rays -- the cause of DNA and tissue damage that leads to skin aging.

Treatment

  • A lotion containing phosphatidylserine, a type of fat molecule, might help prevent UV radiation from reducing collagen production in the skin. The research is still preliminary, but investigators say this treatment has the potential to slow down the process of skin aging.
  • Using a cream containing a form of the hormone, estrogen, stimulated collagen production and smoothed wrinkles in one study. However, the treatment only worked on areas of the skin that had not been exposed to the sun.
  • A combination of topical vitamin C and the ingredient madecassoside (which stimulates collagen production) significantly improved wrinkles, skin firmness, roughness, and hydration.
  • The B complex vitamin, niacinamide, improved wrinkles in two-thirds of participants in one study. The authors say this treatment may be particularly beneficial for wrinkles around the eyes.

Resurfacing Treatment

  • The carbon dioxide (CO2) laser reduces wrinkles safely and effectively over the long-term, one study finds.
  • A technique called photodynamic therapy, which uses a light-activated medication, appears to reduce the signs of aging even better than laser therapy alone. In one study, this treatment dramatically increased levels of a protein involved in the growth of new skin cells, as well as substances needed to produce collagen -- the protein that gives skin its elasticity.
  • In 2008, the FDA recommended that women be informed of the health risks from cosmetic fillers such as Restylane, Juvederm, Artefill, and Perlane. These risks can include allergic reactions, swelling, pain, blisters, and cysts.

Resources

References

Alexiades-Armenakas MR, Dover JS, Arndt KA. The spectrum of laser skin resurfacing: Nonablative, fractional, and ablative laser resurfacing. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008;58:719-737.

Autier P, Gandini S. Vitamin D Supplementation and Total Mortality : A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Arch Intern Med. 2007;167:1730-1737.

Cho HS, Lee MH, Lee JW, et al. Anti-wrinkling effects of the mixture of vitamin C, vitamin E, pycnogenol and evening primrose oil, and molecular mechanisms on hairless mouse skin caused by chronic ultraviolet B irradiation. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2007;23(5):155-62.

Chos S, Kim HH, Lee MJ, Lee S, Park CS, Nam SJ, et al. Phosphatidylserine prevents UV-induced decrease of type I procollagen and increase of MMP-1 in dermal fibroblasts and human skin in vivo. J Lipid Res. 2008;49:1235-1245.

Fourtanier A, Moyal D, Selt S. Sunscreens containing the broad-spectrum UVA absorber, Mexoryl SX, prevent the cutaneous detrimental effects of UV exposure: a review of clinical study results. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2008;24:164-174.

Haftek M, Mac-Mary S, Le Bitoux MA, Creidi P, Selt S, Rougier A, et al. Clinical, biometric and structural evaluation of the long-term effects of a topical treatment with ascorbic acid and madecassoside in photoaged human skin. Exp Dermatol. 2008;17:946-952.

Helfrich YR, Yu L, Ofori A, et al. Effect of smoking on aging of photoprotected skin: evidence gathered using a new photonumeric scale. Arch Dermatol. 2007;143(3):397-402.

Hercberg S, Ezzedine K, Guinot C, et al. Antioxidant supplementation increases the risk of skin cancers in women but not in men. J Nutr. 2007;137(9):2098-105.

Kawada A, Konishi N, Oiso N, Kawara S, Date A. Evaluation of anti-wrinkle effects of a novel cosmetic containing niacinamide. J Dermatol. 2008;35:637-642.

Orringer JS, Hammerberg C, Hamilton T, Johnson TM, Kang S, Sachs DL. Molecular effects of photodynamic therapy for photoaging. Arch Dermatol. 2008;144:1296-1302.

Ritti L, Kang S, Voorhees JJ, Fisher GJ. Induction of collagen by estradiol: difference between sun-protected and photodamaged human skin in vivo. Arch Dermatol. 2008;144:1129-1140.

Selt S, Fourtanier A. The benefit of daily photoprotection. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008;58:S160-S166.

Ward PD, Baker SR. Long-term results of carbon dioxide laser resurfacing of the face. Arch Facial Plast Surg. 2008;10:238-243.

  • Reviewed last on: 12/30/2008
  • Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, In-Depth Reports; Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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