A wrinkle is a small ridge formed on the skin surface by the shrinking or contraction of a smooth muscle, due to age, worry or fatigue. Skin changes with age because growing age defies repair treatments for face, eyes and skin; this ultimately leads to decreased elasticity and skin turgor. Environmental factors, such as ultraviolet rays of the sun and toxins like tobacco, also act on the skin and induce several molecular changes in the skin. Studies suggest that the intake of vitamins may help in skin repair and strengthening of blood vessels, helping to reduce wrinkles and other signs of aging.
Vitamin A
The integrity of skin and epithelial tissues partly depends on maintaining vitamin A levels within a normal range. An increased incidence of vitamin A deficiency has been linked to dietary absence of vitamin A or daily sunlight exposure. Overexposure of the skin to the sun's ultraviolet rays can cause sunburn or inflammation of the skin. The skin starts to peel after a few days. Several prescription medications, usually creams, containing Vitamin A and retinoids, can increase collagen production in the dermis. Collagen is an inextensible fibrous protein found in the skin. The increase in collagen reduces skin inflammation, wrinkles and elastic damage of the skin, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin. It also serves as a potent antioxidant and defends against free radicals in the skin. Free radicals are suspected to cause a variety of maladies, including premature skin aging. Studies also indicate that vitamin C protects human skin against the sun's dangerous ultraviolet rays by enhancing the body's immune system, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Vitamin C influences collagen synthesis. Collagen protects against skin disorders and wrinkles.
Vitamin E
Frequent sunburn contributes to wrinkling and skin aging. Topical applications of vitamin E, normally alpha tocopherol cream, can reduce sunburn damage to the skin and eliminate fine wrinkles or other effects of aging, according to the DePaul University. Everyone's skin changes with age because the body doesn't fully repair damage to molecules that give young skin its smooth, firm and bright appearance. Vitamin E is a highly effective antioxidant. It interacts with free radicals and prevents or reduces cell damage.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Skin wrinkles and blemishes - Treatment
- University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System: Smoking and Premature Aging
- Catherine Hinds Institute of Esthetics: Facials
- Harvard Medical School: Do Skin Creams Deliver?
- DePaul University: Antioxidants
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Wrinkles
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