Vitamin A Retinol Reverses the Signs of Skin Aging
According to the results of a small trial published in the May 2007 issue of
the
Archives of Dermatology, topical vitamin A (retinol) reduces fine lines
and
wrinkles associated with aging.
Dr. Reza Kafi of the University of Michigan notes, “Retinol has the
potential to delivery retinoic acid-like effects to human skin with
improved
tolerability.” Retinoic acid, available only by prescription, can be
expensive and is known to be irritating to the skin.
Elderly patients received 0.4% retinol (vitamin A) lotion on one arm
and a
placebo “carrier” on the other, up to 3 times per week for 24
weeks, at
which point treated skin was compared, evaluated and biopsied. Third
party
dermatologists evaluated skin quality and assessed for roughness and
wrinkling at intervals.
Biopsies showed that the retinol was active within the skin layers and
that
treated skin showed marked increases of glycosaminoglycan and
procollagen I.
Benefits of topical Vitamin A treatment became evident at 4 weeks and
were
seen up to 12 weeks after the end of treatment.
As skin ages, the number of keratinocytes and fibroblasts are reduced
and
collagen production is decreased, causing thinning of the skin and
subsequent wrinkling and other signs of aging. Topically applied
Vitamin A
(retinol) increases the production of collagen in the skin.
Vitamin A is an inexpensive and readily available preventative and treatment for skin aging. Vitamin A oil can
be
applied directly on the skin or incorporated into commercial or home
made
skin preparations. We recommend direct application to the skin several
times a week to help prevent wrinkles and skin aging. |
