Impact of visible light on skin health: The role of antioxidants and free radical quenchers in skin protection

Abstract

Until recently, the primary focus of photobiology has centered on the impact of UV radiation on skin health, including DNA damage and oncogenesis; however, the significant effects of visible light (VL) on skin remain grossly underreported. VL has been reported to cause erythema in individuals with light skin (Fitzpatrick skin types [FSTs] I-III) and pigmentary changes in individuals with dark skin types (FSTs IV-VI). These effects have importance in dermatologic diseases and potentially play a role in conditions aggravated by sun exposure, including phototoxicity in patients with FSTs I to III and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and melasma in patients with FSTs IV to VI. The induction of free radicals, leading to the generation of reactive species, is one driving mechanism of VL-induced skin pathologies, leading to the induction of melanogenesis and hyperpigmentation. Initial clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of topical sunscreen with antioxidant combinations in inhibiting VL 1 UV-A1-induced erythema in FSTs I to III and reducing pigmentation in FSTs IV to VI. Antioxidants may help prevent the worsening of pigmentary disorders and can be incorporated into photoprotective strategies. It is essential that dermatologists and the public are aware of the impact of VL on skin, especially in patients with skin of color, and understand the available options for VL protection.

Carotenoids in Human Skin In Vivo: Antioxidant and Photo-Protectant Role against External and Internal Stressors

“…As can be seen in Figure 4 , the use of a sunscreen that has a high sun protection factor of 50, but contains no antioxidants, has no protective effect against violet-blue radiation on human skin. Thus, the addition of antioxidants to cream formulations is effective in neutralizing ROS, which was also confirmed previously [ 154 , 160 ].…”

“…It was suggested that violet-blue light, also known as high-energy visible light, causes ROS formation in the skin, which induces a decrease of the carotenoid concentration in the SC. Subsequently, the ROS formation in the skin that is caused by exposure to visible light was confirmed in an in vivo study of human skin using EPR spectroscopy [ 158 ] and in numerous studies evaluating oxidative stress-induced changes in the skin subsequent to irradiation with visible light [ 159 , 160 , 161 ].…”

Exploring Plant-Based Cooking Oils as a Promising Topical Alternative to Sunscreen

“…Hence, Rice Bran can also be protective against some forms of visible-light-induced skin damage, such as erythema. 48,49 It was originally expected that the oil with the most tocol content, in this case, Rice Bran oil, would have the greatest absorptive power. The results agreed with the hypothesis.…”

Misconceptions of photoprotection in skin of color

“…Over the past decade, the role of VL in stimulating erythema, skin pigmentation, thermal damage, and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been recognized. 21 Lim et al 22 present a more complete discussion of the impact of VL in their article, Impact of Visible Light on Skin Health: The Role of Antioxidants and Free Radical Quenchers.…”

“…As discussed by Lim et al 22 in their article, Impact of Visible Light on Skin Health: The Role of Antioxidants and Free Radical Quenchers in Skin Protection, elsewhere in this supplement, UV radiation greatly increases the number of ROS in the skin. 49 This oxidative stress contributes to dyspigmentation, because ROS stimulate melanogenesis and activate a number of other pathways involved in photodamage that lead to increased skin pigmentation.…”