How Free Radicals Damage Skin Cells
For those who haven’t heard about what free-radicals are yet – read
and weep. Free-radicals are bad news. These free-radicals are linked to the origins of cancer, illness, an aging. Scientists are now focusing their efforts on understanding how free-radicals work what effects they have on the body.
For those interested in how free-radicals affect the skin, let it be said
that free-radicals are definitely harmful to the skin. Free-radicals
initiate the deterioration of the skin’s structural support and decrease
the elasticity, resilience, and suppleness of skin. They are often tagged as the culprit in the case of wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity and
suppleness.
Damage due to free-radicals isn’t something that is easily explained,
as it happens on an atomic level. When oxygen molecules are
involved in chemical reactions, they usually lose one electron of their
electrons. In turn these molecules, which are now called free-radicals,
will take electrons from nearby molecules. This will set off a chain
reaction that is summarily called free-radical damage.
So pretty much anything that contains oxygen – carbon monoxide,
hydrogen peroxide – can cause free-radical damage. Often the
causes of adverse free-radical damage in the natural world are
exhaust fumes, too much sunlight, and other sources that contain
oxygen.
Other Causes of Free-radical Damage to the Skin
Radiation
Radiation may cause the build up of free-radicals. X-rays, gamma
rays and others may increase the presence of free-radicals in the
body.
Cigarette Smoking
Smoking, aside from being a health hazard to the lungs, has been
known to cause dry, unhealthy skin, and pale, unhealthy complexion.
Also, they have been studied to promote the presence of free-radicals
in the body, further complicating the adverse affects tobacco brings.
Inorganic Particles
There are also other substances that cause free-radical damage.
Among these substances are asbestos, quartz, silica.
Gases
Although ozone is not a free-radical, it is a very powerful oxidizing
agent. Ozone which degrades under certain conditions, contain two
unpaired electrons. This suggests that free-radicals can be formed
when this decomposition happens.
But wait, don’t we all need oxygen to live? Yes, we do. Fortunately,
we have antioxidants to help us survive!
Antioxidants
Antioxidants help prevent free-radical damage by preventing these
free-radical molecules from interacting with other molecules, therefore
stunting the chain reaction of the process. The good news is that
these antioxidants exist bountifully in the human body and the plant
world. Antioxidants include ingredients such as vitamins A, C and E;
flavonoids; superoxide dismutase; beta carotene; selenium;
glutathione; and zinc.
Now back to business. How does this affect one’s skin? Studies are
pointing to the fact that wrinkles and other age related skin factors are
directly related to free-radical damage that is not countered by
antioxidants. If one does not get enough antioxidants from their diet
and other sources, their skin cells could break down and lose their
ability to function well.
Most lotions and moisturizers nowadays bandy an antioxidant formula
specifically targeted to those who are concerned about the free-radical
damage. Unfortunately, it is hard to prove if these compounds can
actually show dramatic results since it isn’t practical to expect results
overnight.
It is however, still a good idea to splurge on antioxidants as the
benefits of these compounds are well-known. Some people even
believe that with further scientific inquiry, free-radical investigation
could lead to startling advances against the effects of aging.
To increase antioxidants in the body one may increase the intake of
antioxidants in the diet, or may purchase topical applications of the
vitamins A, C, E and the other antioxidant compounds to increase the
defense against free-radical damage.
Some scientists think that should free-radical damage be halted or
reversed, antioxidants are the answer.
Therefore, to increase the presence of antioxidants in the body, a
modified diet presence of antioxidants in the diet, and, possibly, the
topical application of antioxidants in skin-care products, plays a part
in slowing down free-radical damage.
Conclusion
Now, should we all jump into the anti-free-radical bandwagon?
Although science has yet to put the finishing touches on the studies
regarding free-radicals, there is enough evidence to suggest that
antioxidants can benefit the body. Although it will not guarantee an
overnight skin miracle, it will at least stymie the effects of free-radical
damage, and possibly, reverse them.