Scientists Discover why Fair Skin Accelerates Aging

If you have fair skin, freckles, or red/light hair, listen up! Scientists have just discovered that our cells are actually contributing to skin damage through a process generated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), unstable oxygen-containing molecules that can damage cells.

Doing chemical peels will help, but knowing why our skin ages faster will help us identify other changes we can make to slow down this accelerated aging process.

If you have fair skin, freckles, or red hair, you already know that you burn easily in the sun compared to others without these features. Until recently, scientists assumed that this was attributed to a lack of melanin in the skin cells, which typically protects us somewhat from UV damage.

Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), suspecting that the pigment-associated risk might be chemically related to the generation of (ROS) - unstable oxygen-containing molecules that can damage cells - examined skin samples and discovered elevated levels of a type of DNA damage typically produced by ROS, supporting their theory of oxidative damage.

What does this mean for those of us who are fair skinned? It means that not only are we more susceptible to UV damage, but also that our cells, in particular, may be causing further damage to our skin.

What can we do? The first step is to protect our skin from UV damage, but that’s nothing new.

Next, we must consume antioxidants to neutralize ROS, and the best form of antioxidants is food. 

Here’s a site where you can check the oxidative level of foods you eat.

Look at the difference between eating corn and olives: corn causes inflammation or oxidative damage, but olive act as antioxidants:

David Fisher, MD, PhD, chief of the MGH Department of Dermatology is the author of the article, published in Dermatology, Nov 2012, if you would like to read the article.

Chemical Peel or Laser?

I saw an exchange recently on one of the forums I frequent, and someone asked if she should have a chemical peel or laser ablation.

Professional Opinions

This plastic surgeon says that chemical peels are better. See his video that addresses this question:http://www.webmd.com/healthy-beauty/video/chemical
In addition, this clinical study that shows "Collagen type I was markedly increased after the [chemical] peel. Characteristic ultrastructural features of skin after peeling include markedly decreased epidermal intracytoplasmic vacuoles, decreased elastic fibers, and increased activated fibroblasts."
There are lots of variables that I considered before deciding to do at-home chemical peels, and some people just aren't good candidates.   Who's a good candidate for a chemical peel? Generally, fair-skinned and light-haired patients are better candidates for chemical peels.  If I had darker skin, I may also have good results, depending upon the type of problem being treated, but I may have been more likely to have uneven skin tone after an at-home chemical peel. People with darker skin may be better candidates for other cosmetic procedures.  Also, if I couldn't wear sunscreen, I probably would not be doing chemical peels because it's important to protect skin after peels.   In addition, some medications or disease may affect how well someone heals after a chemical peel, so those with diseases, such as diabetes, or those taking medications should always consult their medical care partner(s) before doing chemical peels. In reality, everyone should talk with a professional healthcare provided, whether a dermatologist or a general practitioner before doing chemical peels.   What to expect from a chemical peel Don't expect a miracle--they don't exist in this arena, but with consistent and conservative treatment, I've seen improvement in fine lines, skin tone, acne, age spots, melasma or dark patches, and improved texture.  What NOT to expect from a chemical peel   At-home chemical peels generally do not "fix" deep wrinkles, sagging skin, or bulges in the skin, although underlying collagen may increase to make them less noticeable. Lasers may be more appropriate for these problems--or other cosmetic procedures.