Skin deep
Tuesday, 22 May 2007 09:23
Vitamin A could improve skin's ageing and sun damage
Vitamin A can reduce the appearance of wrinkles from ageing as well as from sun damage, new research claims.
Products containing retinol – a form of vitamin A – were tested on the skin of elderly patients in the study, published in the journal Archives of Dermatology.
One arm was treated with lotion containing retinol and the other arm was treated with one without.
Wrinkles, roughness and overall ageing severity were all found to be "significantly" reduced, according to the researchers from the University of Michigan.
As well as providing aesthetic benefits, the study found that retinol can help the skin withstand ulcer formation and injury. This is due to the production of collagen that is triggered by the vitamin.
"With the population ageing so rapidly, it is important that we find ways of treating skin conditions of elderly people – not just for purposes of vanity, but also for the healing of wounds and the reduction of ulcers," said lead author Sewon Kang.
Co-author John Voorhees added: "In the past, it was everyone believed that retinoids would treat only photoageing, or damage from exposure to sun. This is the first systematic, double-blind study showing that it improves any kind of aging – photoageing as well as natural ageing.
"You can rub it anywhere, and it will help to treat the signs of ageing."
The news follows the broadcast of a BBC programme last month which reported the benefits of a 'No7' cream, leading hundreds of shoppers clearing the shelves of the product.