Vitamin K is an organic compound that your body needs in small doses. It is obtained, partially, from the "gut" bacteria. Since it is liposoluble, the fatty tissue from the human body stores it. Multiple sources of vitamin K include cabbage, cauliflower, spinach and other green leafy vegetables. In addition, cereals, soybeans and fruits such as grapes, kiwi and avocados are also sources of vitamin K.
Vitamin K and Skin
Vitamin K is mainly used in blood coagulation, but it also has a role in the metabolic pathways of your bones and other tissues. Doctors recommended vitamin K to treat bruising, spider veins, under-eye dark circles, minor burns, skin irritations, stretch marks, post-laser discoloration, scars and rosacea. Although only limited studies support the use of vitamin K in the treatment of photoaging, some theorize that it may reduce the vascular manifestations of aging such as increased susceptibility to bruising.
Tracing the Roots
The science behind using vitamin K as a treatment to reduce the manifestations of aging came from a number of studies. One of these studies, published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology in November 2009, concluded that bruising treated with a 1 percent vitamin K cream took approximately five fewer days to resolve. Another study conducted by the Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery at the University of Miami School of Medicine concluded that a 0.3 percent retinol and 1 percent vitamin K cream shortened the clearing time of laser-induced purpura.
More Studies
Yet another study used a 5 percent vitamin K cream twice daily for two weeks after skin exposure to a pulsed dye laser treatment of telangiectasias. In this study, the side of the face treated with the vitamin K cream, on average, had a more rapid resolution of post-treatment bruising. This study, reported in Dermatologic Surgery in December 1999, again confirmed that vitamin K is useful in repairing damaged skin.
Benefits
A clinical trial added 2 percent phytonadione, the form of vitamin K1 naturally occurring in plants, to a topical gel also containing 0.1 percent retinol and 0.1 percent vitamins C and E. The gel was applied to wrinkles and dark circles under the eyes of patients in the clinical trial. Seventy-two percent of patients enrolled reported improvements to both the dark circles and wrinkles after eight weeks. The study was published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology in April 2004. Some experts say that thinning skin that results from age may respond to some vitamin K-based topical creams or gels. Additionally, creams containing hesperidin methyl chalcone, a plant extract of vitamin K, have a similar positive effect in treating thinning skin. When used as recommended, vitamin K therefore may have an anti-inflammatory, anti-aging effect on skin.
References
- MD Consult: Vitamin K
- Women-Lifestyles: Vitamin K Skin Creams - Do They Work
- Cosmetics Cop: Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary - Vitamin K
- "Vitamins and Photoaging: Do Scientific Data Support Their Use"; Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology; Volume 63, Issue 3; 2010
- Journal of Drugs in Dermatology; The Role of Topical Vitamin K Oxide Gel in the Resolution of Postprocedural Purpura; Joel Lee Cohen; November 2009
Member Comments