Antioxidants in Dermatology

The document from 2017 reviews the significance of antioxidants in dermatology, focusing on their role in combating skin aging, photodamage, and various skin diseases. It explains that antioxidants help maintain the skin's redox balance and prevent oxidative stress, which can lead to cellular damage, aging, and cancer. The paper suggests that a balance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antioxidant defenses is crucial, and that an imbalance can contribute to skin conditions. It reviews both enzymatic antioxidants, such as glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase, and non-enzymatic antioxidants like vitamins E and C. The document warns against excessive antioxidant use, which can lead to negative effects like hypervitaminosis, and proposes that combinations of antioxidants at lower doses may be more effective and safer than high doses of a single type. It also discusses the protective role of antioxidants against UV radiation and visible light, and notes the decline of endogenous antioxidant mechanisms with aging. The document concludes that antioxidants can be beneficial for skin health but should be used under medical supervision, especially at pharmacological concentrations, to avoid adverse effects and maintain balance in antioxidant systems. It also emphasizes that antioxidants do not replace a healthy diet and should be used in conjunction with other treatments like photoprotection. Additionally, it touches on the role of antioxidants in skin cancer prevention and treatment, psoriasis, alopecia areata, and the protective effects of diets like the Mediterranean diet against melanoma.