Oxidative stress (free radicals)

Oxi­da­tive stress occurs when the body pro­du­ces more free radi­cals than its pro­tec­ti­ve sys­tems can neu­tra­li­se. Free radi­cals are reac­ti­ve mole­cu­les miss­ing an elec­tron. They take one from other struc­tures, dama­ging cell mem­bra­nes, pro­te­ins and DNA, alt­hough in small amounts they also per­form nor­mal signal­ling functions.

Appli­ca­ti­on

For the skin, important exter­nal sources include UV radia­ti­on, visi­ble light and infrared radia­ti­on, air pol­lu­ti­on and smo­king. Oxi­da­tive stress acti­va­tes enzy­mes that break down col­la­gen and pro­mo­tes inflamm­a­ti­on and pig­men­ta­ti­on dis­or­ders. It is con­side­red a key mecha­nism of pho­to­aging. The body pro­tects its­elf with its own enzy­mes and with die­ta­ry anti­oxi­dants such as vit­amins C and E.

Good to know

Anti­oxi­dants can redu­ce oxi­da­tive stress but are no sub­sti­tu­te for sun pro­tec­tion. High-dose sup­ple­ments have shown no clear bene­fit in stu­dies. Topi­cal vit­amin C in a sta­ble for­mu­la­ti­on, on the other hand, is a well-rese­ar­ched addi­ti­on to UV protection.

Matching tre­at­ment at Swiss Der­ma Cli­nic: Vit­amin C treatment