Latest news with #IfeRodney
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists Find Popular Vitamin Targets Visible Signs of Aging, Makes Skin Look Younger
Vitamin C may help support the health of the epidermis, the outermost layer of skin. Getting adequate levels of vitamin C may help fight signs of skin aging, according to recent findings. Doctors explain how to get more of the essential vitamin in your diet. Your skin protects your body from germs and other environmental hazards, but it gets weaker over time. That changes its appearance, leading to visible signs of aging, like wrinkles and fine lines. While you can't do anything to stop your skin from getting older, new research suggests that vitamin C may help skin look younger. Specifically, having plenty of vitamin C in your diet may help to reactivate certain genes that control your skin's growth and repair. The study, which was published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, used lab-grown models designed to mimic human skin. In these models, the skin cells were exposed to air while being nourished underneath with a liquid nutrient designed to mimic the way your skin gets nutrients from your blood vessels. Meet the experts: Gary Goldenberg, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital; Ife J. Rodney, M.D., founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics The researchers used vitamin C at different concentrations comparable to what would be transported from your bloodstream to the epidermis, which is the outermost layer of your skin. After seven days, the researchers discovered that the skin that was treated with vitamin C had a thicker epidermal cell layer without impacting the stratum corneum, which is the outer layer of skin made up of dead cells. After two weeks, the epidermis was thicker, while the outer layer of dead skin cells was thinner. This suggests that vitamin C helps to boost the formation and division of keratinocytes, skin cells that move from deeper layers of the skin to the surface, the researchers explained. The researchers also found that skin samples that were treated with vitamin C had more cell proliferation, which is important for maintaining the skin's healthy barrier and creating a fresher look. 'Vitamin C is a promising molecule that can be used as a developing treatment for epidermal thinning, including in aging,' the researchers wrote in the conclusion. The findings raise questions about the impact of vitamin C on skin. So, should we all be having more of it in our lives for a healthier, younger-looking complexion? Here's what dermatologists want you to keep in mind. Vitamin C, a.k.a. L-ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin. Humans need to get vitamin C from food and supplements, making it a vital part of the diet, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Vitamin C plays a role in several areas of health, including biochemical reactions to support collagen and protein metabolism, per the NIH. Vitamin C also helps with wound healing and is an antioxidant that supports immune function. Most adult women need 65 to 75 milligrams of vitamin C a day, while most adult men need 75 to 90 milligrams daily. While many adults in the U.S. get the recommended amounts of vitamin C daily from foods and drinks, some are more at risk of not getting enough than others, per the NIH. Those include: People who smoke and are exposed to second-hand smoke. People who eat a limited diet. People with certain medical conditions, like severe malabsorption, certain types of cancer, and some forms of kidney disease. When you eat or drink something with vitamin C, it's absorbed into your bloodstream and then transported to the skin, explains Gary Goldenberg, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital. There, it tends to be concentrated in the basal layer of the epidermis, which is the deepest layer of the outer layer of your skin. Vitamin C is a co-factor (meaning it's a required element) in a process that activates genes that are involved in cell proliferation, Dr. Goldenberg says. 'This can lead to epidermal thickening and improved skin health and appearance,' he says. Vitamin C is also crucial for the production of collagen, a protein that helps to support your skin's barrier and enhances your skin's elasticity, says Ife J. Rodney, M.D., founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics. 'Collagen is the building block of the skin,' she says. 'It's the supporting matrix that gives the skin its tightness and firmness, but over the years, it starts to break down. That's why skin gets saggy and thin.' While having more vitamin C in your life won't magically transform your skin, it can help, Dr. Rodney says. If you eat a lot of vitamin C-rich foods, Dr. Goldenberg says you should get enough of the nutrient to support good skin health. If you could do better, these are some of the most vitamin C-rich foods to consider eating, per the NIH: Red bell pepper, ½ cup: 95 milligrams Orange juice, ¾ cup: 93 milligrams Orange, 1 medium: 70 milligrams Grapefruit juice, ¾ cup: 70 milligrams Kiwifruit, 1 medium: 64 milligrams Green pepper, ½ cup: 60 milligrams Broccoli, ½ cup: 51 milligrams If you're not sure how you're doing on the vitamin C front or if you're concerned that you may not be absorbing the nutrient properly, Dr. Goldenberg says a blood test can help determine your levels. 'If levels are low or not optimal, supplementation can help,' he says. However, Dr. Rodney points out that vitamin C supplements aren't for everyone. 'They really don't help unless you're deficient,' she says. This study focused on having vitamin C in your diet, but dermatologists say there's a role for vitamin C serums in skincare, too. 'I like topical vitamin C on the skin—serums, specifically,' Dr. Rodney says. Because of vitamin C's antioxidant effect, these can help to protect the skin from environmental stressors, she says, which may contribute to signs of aging. (Dr. Rodney recommends looking for a serum with vitamin C and ferulic acid, which helps keep the vitamin C molecule stable in your products.) Overall, dermatologists say the findings stress the importance of eating a healthy diet for good skin health. 'Nutrition has a direct impact on skin health,' Dr. Goldenberg says. 'Nutrients like vitamin C can promote skin regeneration, delay aging effects, and maintain barrier function.' Dietary supplements are products intended to supplement the diet. They are not medicines and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure diseases. Be cautious about taking dietary supplements if you are pregnant or nursing. Also, be careful about giving supplements to a child, unless recommended by their healthcare provider. You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists Find Popular Vitamin Targets Visible Signs of Aging, Makes Skin Look Younger
Vitamin C may help support the health of the epidermis, the outermost layer of skin. Getting adequate levels of vitamin C may help fight signs of skin aging, according to recent findings. Doctors explain how to get more of the essential vitamin in your diet. Your skin protects your body from germs and other environmental hazards, but it gets weaker over time. That changes its appearance, leading to visible signs of aging, like wrinkles and fine lines. While you can't do anything to stop your skin from getting older, new research suggests that vitamin C may help skin look younger. Specifically, having plenty of vitamin C in your diet may help to reactivate certain genes that control your skin's growth and repair. The study, which was published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, used lab-grown models designed to mimic human skin. In these models, the skin cells were exposed to air while being nourished underneath with a liquid nutrient designed to mimic the way your skin gets nutrients from your blood vessels. Meet the experts: Gary Goldenberg, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital; Ife J. Rodney, M.D., founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics The researchers used vitamin C at different concentrations comparable to what would be transported from your bloodstream to the epidermis, which is the outermost layer of your skin. After seven days, the researchers discovered that the skin that was treated with vitamin C had a thicker epidermal cell layer without impacting the stratum corneum, which is the outer layer of skin made up of dead cells. After two weeks, the epidermis was thicker, while the outer layer of dead skin cells was thinner. This suggests that vitamin C helps to boost the formation and division of keratinocytes, skin cells that move from deeper layers of the skin to the surface, the researchers explained. The researchers also found that skin samples that were treated with vitamin C had more cell proliferation, which is important for maintaining the skin's healthy barrier and creating a fresher look. 'Vitamin C is a promising molecule that can be used as a developing treatment for epidermal thinning, including in aging,' the researchers wrote in the conclusion. The findings raise questions about the impact of vitamin C on skin. So, should we all be having more of it in our lives for a healthier, younger-looking complexion? Here's what dermatologists want you to keep in mind. Vitamin C, a.k.a. L-ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin. Humans need to get vitamin C from food and supplements, making it a vital part of the diet, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Vitamin C plays a role in several areas of health, including biochemical reactions to support collagen and protein metabolism, per the NIH. Vitamin C also helps with wound healing and is an antioxidant that supports immune function. Most adult women need 65 to 75 milligrams of vitamin C a day, while most adult men need 75 to 90 milligrams daily. While many adults in the U.S. get the recommended amounts of vitamin C daily from foods and drinks, some are more at risk of not getting enough than others, per the NIH. Those include: People who smoke and are exposed to second-hand smoke. People who eat a limited diet. People with certain medical conditions, like severe malabsorption, certain types of cancer, and some forms of kidney disease. When you eat or drink something with vitamin C, it's absorbed into your bloodstream and then transported to the skin, explains Gary Goldenberg, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital. There, it tends to be concentrated in the basal layer of the epidermis, which is the deepest layer of the outer layer of your skin. Vitamin C is a co-factor (meaning it's a required element) in a process that activates genes that are involved in cell proliferation, Dr. Goldenberg says. 'This can lead to epidermal thickening and improved skin health and appearance,' he says. Vitamin C is also crucial for the production of collagen, a protein that helps to support your skin's barrier and enhances your skin's elasticity, says Ife J. Rodney, M.D., founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics. 'Collagen is the building block of the skin,' she says. 'It's the supporting matrix that gives the skin its tightness and firmness, but over the years, it starts to break down. That's why skin gets saggy and thin.' While having more vitamin C in your life won't magically transform your skin, it can help, Dr. Rodney says. If you eat a lot of vitamin C-rich foods, Dr. Goldenberg says you should get enough of the nutrient to support good skin health. If you could do better, these are some of the most vitamin C-rich foods to consider eating, per the NIH: Red bell pepper, ½ cup: 95 milligrams Orange juice, ¾ cup: 93 milligrams Orange, 1 medium: 70 milligrams Grapefruit juice, ¾ cup: 70 milligrams Kiwifruit, 1 medium: 64 milligrams Green pepper, ½ cup: 60 milligrams Broccoli, ½ cup: 51 milligrams If you're not sure how you're doing on the vitamin C front or if you're concerned that you may not be absorbing the nutrient properly, Dr. Goldenberg says a blood test can help determine your levels. 'If levels are low or not optimal, supplementation can help,' he says. However, Dr. Rodney points out that vitamin C supplements aren't for everyone. 'They really don't help unless you're deficient,' she says. This study focused on having vitamin C in your diet, but dermatologists say there's a role for vitamin C serums in skincare, too. 'I like topical vitamin C on the skin—serums, specifically,' Dr. Rodney says. Because of vitamin C's antioxidant effect, these can help to protect the skin from environmental stressors, she says, which may contribute to signs of aging. (Dr. Rodney recommends looking for a serum with vitamin C and ferulic acid, which helps keep the vitamin C molecule stable in your products.) Overall, dermatologists say the findings stress the importance of eating a healthy diet for good skin health. 'Nutrition has a direct impact on skin health,' Dr. Goldenberg says. 'Nutrients like vitamin C can promote skin regeneration, delay aging effects, and maintain barrier function.' Dietary supplements are products intended to supplement the diet. They are not medicines and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure diseases. Be cautious about taking dietary supplements if you are pregnant or nursing. Also, be careful about giving supplements to a child, unless recommended by their healthcare provider. You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Blue light has been linked to premature aging and dark spots. Here are 3 ways to protect your skin from screens.
You probably do your best to protect your skin from ultraviolet rays by slathering on sunscreen before going outside (and if you haven't been, now's a good time to start). But many people aren't aware that the blue light from your computer and smartphone can also do a number on your skin. Research suggests that blue light, aka high-energy visible light, or HEV, could damage your skin like UV rays. And, if you spend hours every day parked in front of a computer or scrolling through your phone, you could be raising your risk of developing fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots on your skin, Dr. Ife Rodney, founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics, tells Yahoo Life. That doesn't mean you're doomed to have older-looking skin if you have a desk job or a date with Instagram every night. But dermatologists say it's important to take certain steps to protect your skin from your screens, just like you would from the sun. Blue light is on the visible light spectrum. It has a short wavelength and high energy, which can impact your eyes, stimulate your brain and influence how much your body secretes melatonin, a hormone involved in the sleep-wake cycle. But blue light can also impact your skin. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Sunlight is the biggest source of blue light, although blue light can also be emitted by screens, fluorescent light and LED light, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). 'Since we're spending so much more time in front of the computer working from home, we may be putting ourselves at increased risk for blue light exposure,' Dr. Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, tells Yahoo Life. The biggest potential impact of blue light is that it can age you. 'Fortunately, blue light is not associated with skin cancers, but it has been shown to lead to premature aging and the development of dark spots,' Zeichner says. Blue light can also break down collagen and elastin, which help give skin its firmness and elasticity, Rodney says. 'That can lead to fine lines and wrinkles over time.' While blue light doesn't affect your skin as much as UVA, the light rays linked to premature skin aging, it 'can penetrate the skin more deeply than UVB,' says Dr. Gary Goldenberg, a dermatologist in New York City. (UVB rays damage the outermost layers of the skin and are responsible for sunburns and are linked to skin cancer, according to MD Anderson Cancer Center.) A scientific review of research on the impact of blue light on skin concluded that this type of light could cause more general skin damage, which could speed up the aging process. 'Skin protection may be crucial for protection against blue light,' the researchers concluded. While dermatologists agree that blue light poses a real threat to your skin health, they also stress that there are things you can do to combat it. Here's what they suggest. Wear sunscreen daily, even if you're planning to be inside It seems weird, but there's a reason for this. 'A lot of patients ask me if they need to wear sunscreen if they work from home, and I explain that, yes, the blue light from computers can cause aging and discoloration of your skin,' Rodney says. Goldenberg suggests using a broad-spectrum physical sunscreen, such one that contains zinc oxide, that are especially good at blocking blue light. If you rely on makeup that contains sunscreen, you'll still want to look for something that's broad-spectrum. In a perfect world, though, you'd put on sunscreen and layer your makeup on top. 'Reapply throughout the day,' Rodney says. Use a blue light filter on your devices There are filters or panels that you can put on your screens to help block blue light. 'I think these are very helpful, especially if you're spending extended time in front of a screen,' Rodney says. While these probably won't be the most expensive devices you own, they also aren't cheap. Ocushield's anti-blue light iPhone screen protector, for example, is $47, while the bestselling VizoBlueX anti-blue light computer monitor protector is $50 on Amazon. Still, this shouldn't be the only thing you do to protect your skin from blue light. 'Blue light filters reduce light exposure by adjusting the screen's color temperature,' Goldenberg says. 'However, it does not completely eliminate skin exposure.' Dim your devices Most phones and computers allow you to customize the brightness to a level that feels right for you. While it won't get rid of all blue light exposure, dimming the brightness a little can help reduce the blue light intensity you're exposed to, Goldenberg says. Dermatologists say that using skincare products that contain antioxidants may help. Zeichner suggests applying an antioxidant product like a vitamin C serum to your face each morning. 'Antioxidants like vitamin C help neutralize the free radicals caused by blue light exposure,' he says. (Free radicals break down collagen, raising the risk of wrinkles, Zeichner explains.) While antioxidant skincare won't block out blue light or keep your skin from being initially damaged by the light, Rodney says, it helps work against the damage that's been done. While you can only do so much about sitting in front of a screen if it's your job, Goldenberg suggests cutting back on your exposure whenever you can. That may mean choosing to read a book instead of using your tablet or making an effort to put your phone away a little more than usual. 'Decreasing screen time is highly effective for skin health,' Goldenberg says.
