Experiences on the influence of different behaviors on antioxidants and reactive oxygen species in the human skin

Abstract: Skin aging is determined by genetic aspects and by the action of free radicals. At small concentrations, these reactive molecules contribute essentially to signaling processes in the human organism. If their concentration exceeds a critical threshold, the free radicals can destroy cells and cell compartments. The human organism has developed a protective antioxidant system against the detrimental action of free radicals. Most of these antioxidants cannot be produced in the human body but have to be ingested with food rich in antioxidants, for instance with fruit and vegetables. Resonance Raman and reflectance spectroscopy was used to detect carotenoids, which represent marker substances for the whole antioxidative potential in human skin. It could be demonstrated that the antioxidant status of the skin reflects the nutritional and stress behavior of human subjects. Increasing the concentration of cutaneous antioxidants by topical or systemic application could be an appropriate way to reduce the destructive action of the free radicals. Consequently, high antioxidant concentrations in human skin might be an efficient mechanism to prevent skin aging.