Diminish wrinkles and age spots with sunscreen and supplements
Summer is officially here. The sun is shining and it is hot! We want to remind our patients to wear a sunscreen every morning like our Elta MD SPF 46 Clear. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is the leading cause of wrinkles and skin cancer. There is some benefit in adding a supplement to help protect your skin from sun damage.
Polypodium Leucotomos Extract (Calaguala) — The Science
Polypodium leucotomos extract (PLE) has been shown to protect the skin from the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation, which is the same radiation that is coming from the sun. A study of nine healthy adults were exposed to ultraviolet radiation both before and after taking the oral PLE supplement and skin biopsies were performed. There was less redness of the skin and the skin biopsies showed less damage on a cellular level after the volunteer had taken the supplement compared to before they had taken the supplement. (JAAD 2004;51:910-8). Other studies have found the supplement to be safe after 60 days.
How to take supplement
The supplement is available commercially as Heliocare®. Heliocare® can be taken once or twice daily. If planning to be in sun for prolonged period of time, take 30 minutes before going out and then take again after two to three hours. Heliocare® is rapidly absorbed and lasts about two hours. Heliocare® and daily moisturizer with SPF 30 are anti- aging and help to prevent wrinkles by minimizing the aging effect of sun rays.
We also carry Heliocare in the office for your convenience. Samples are also available so please ask for one next time you are in the office.
Consider taking Heliocare with tomato juice or V8 juice, read on to see why.
Lycopene
Lycopene is an antioxidant which may reduce the inflammatory response to ultraviolet damage. Cooked or processed tomatoes which are found in tomato juices and paste are rich in lycopene. A study from Great Britain showed that women who ate 5 tablespoons of tomato paste daily for 12 weeks had greater protection from the effects of ultraviolet radiation. Taking your oral supplements with plain or spicy tomato juice twice a day is a safe and healthy anti-aging routine that can be easily incorporated.
Don’t like tomato juice? Eat dishes that incorporate cooked tomatoes. Other lycopene rich foods are watermelon (great summer time dessert) guava and papaya. A Chinese fruit known as Gac, has the highest amount of lycopene but a short growing season so it is not readily available.
Anti-aging routine
As part of an anti-aging routine, wear your Elta MD facial sunscreen every morning, and take a Heliocare with tomato juice or V8. For those of you who have a history of skin cancer, stay tuned for more recommendations.