Summer is Coming… Plan Ahead
Ultraviolet (UV) rays on unprotected skin can cause first- and second-degree burns on the skin, commonly known as sunburn. Long-term damage from overexposure can include premature aging and even skin cancer. Using commercially available sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or higher is effective protection. However, a variety of natural remedies can be even more helpful than chemical-laden oils.
Protective nutritional supplements
Research has identified the benefits of antioxidants in preventing or minimizing injuries caused by UV radiation. The damage begins when UV radiation stimulates the production of free radicals and lipid peroxidases within the skin. Antioxidants like vitamin E and vitamin C neutralize these particles and reduce cell damage. These common nutrients are also effective in preventing sunburn.
In a study at the University of Munich, 10 subjects received either vitamin C (2,000 mg) and vitamin E (1,000 IU) daily or a placebo. The sunburn reaction before and after 8 days of supplement use was determined by measuring the minimal erythema (redness) dose, or MED. This is the amount of UV radiation needed to create a uniform pink color on exposed skin.
Results showed that subjects taking the vitamins required 20% more UV radiation to experience the same level of reaction compared to those taking a placebo(1). A similar result came from a separate study at the University of Frankfurt, which concluded that vitamin C and vitamin E act synergistically to suppress the sunburn reaction.(2)
Another supplement, beta-carotene, has been studied for its effects as a sunscreen. Published data from a study at the University of Arizona suggest that supplementation with 90 mg of natural carotenoids daily for 24 weeks provides modest protection against UVA- and UVB-induced erythema.(3)
Taking these three supplements daily for a week before going on a beach vacation, or taking them during the summer, could be a wonderful and safe way to protect yourself from sunburn.
Healing topical therapies
Natural topical therapies have been shown to be helpful for sunburn. A study from the University of Western Ontario showed that applying a 5% vitamin E cream immediately after a sunburn significantly decreased keratinocyte necrosis in the skin, commonly referred to as “peeling.” This positive effect was noted even when application was delayed up to 8 hours after exposure.(4) This is very good news for those who discover at night that their overexposure occurred earlier in the day.
A variety of herbs have been reported to have calming effects. Applying sea buckthorn (hippophae rhamnoides) oil 3 to 4 times a day has been helpful as a natural sunscreen or sunburn therapy. Sea buckthorn oil is a natural product that contains vitamin C, malic acid, flavonoids, carotenoids and essential fatty acids. These constitute protecting cells from lipid peroxidative injury. (5) Interestingly, the oil concentrate has been used to treat radiation burns caused by radiotherapy and in bed sores. Sea buckthorn increased the rate of new skin formation and accelerated the formation of granulation tissue in wounds.(6) Other useful herbs for topical treatment of sunburn include 5-10% jojoba extract,(7) jujube oil,(8) and a semisolid preparation of 20-30% dried poplar buds.
Beware of herbal photosensitizers
Consumers should be aware of potential complications, such as photosensitivity, associated with natural and pharmaceutical products from moderate sun exposure. St. John’s wort (hypericum perforatum) can cause photosensitization when taken orally at 1800 mg/day for 15 days (9) and can cause phototoxicity at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg per day, although it is a low dose. quite high.(10) Photosensitization has been observed from both topical and copious consumption of herbs originating from plants belonging to the Apiaceae family.(11) The extensive list of common spices and vegetables from that plant family includes parsley, carrot wild, parsnip, anise, coriander, fennel, lovage, bishop’s weed, angelica root, pimpinella root, gutta kola and dong quai. Interestingly, eating common figs (Ficus carica) can also cause photodermatitis in sun-sensitive individuals.(12) Patients should be reminded that the use of certain medications is also known to cause photosensitivity, such as sulfa and tetracycline.
one final note
Lack of sun exposure can also cause significant health problems. Sunlight on the skin converts 7-dehydrocholesterol to previtamin D, which is then processed by the kidneys into 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, the active form of the vitamin. An article in the New England Journal of Medicine reports that approximately one-third of men and half of women over the age of 60 are deficient in vitamin D, the essential nutrient for maintaining bone health.(13) Going from 20 to 30 minutes in full sunlight, without sunscreen, three times a week, will allow the body to produce much-needed vitamin D.
A very recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition states that vitamin D is non-toxic at intakes much higher than previously considered unsafe. “This risk assessment was necessary to show that the newer evidence supports the conclusion that vitamin D is much safer than previously thought, particularly given all the emerging research showing the benefit of vitamin D at lower levels. higher than what consumers traditionally took,” lead author John Hathcock told NutraIngredients.com. In fact, scientists from the Council for Responsible Nutrition claim this could be as high as 10,000 IU (250 micrograms per day). (14)
Using common sense in moderate sun exposure and awareness of potentially phototoxic herbal remedies will help promote good skin health and make summer a pleasant experience rather than an eventful one.
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(1) Eberlein-Konig B, Placzek M, Pryzbilla. Protective effect against sunburn of the combination of systemic ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and d-alpha-tocoperhol (vitamin E). J Am Acad. Dermatol. 1998 January; 38(1):45-8.
(2) Fuchs J, Kern H. Modulation of ultraviolet light-induced pimple inflammation by d-alpha-tocoperhol and L-ascorbic acid: a clinical study with simulated solar radiation. Radic Libre Biol Med. 1998 Dec:25(9):1006-12.
(3) Lee J; jiangs; LevineN; Watson RR. Carotenoid supplementation reduces erythema in human skin after exposure to simulated solar radiation. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 2000 Feb;223(2):170-4.
(4) Trevithick, JR; et al. Reduction of sunburn damage to the skin by topical application of vitamin E acetate after exposure to ultraviolet B radiation: effect of delaying application or reducing the concentration of vitamin E acetate applied. Scanning Microsc 1993 Dec;7(4):1269-81.
(5) Wang Y, Luy, Liu X, et. para. the protective effect of Hippophae rhamnoides L. on smooth muscle cells cultured in hyperlipidemic serum in vitro [article in Chinese]. Chung Kuo chung Yao Tsa chih 1992; 17(10): 601, 624-26, inside back cover.
(6) Gruenwald J, et al. PDR for herbal medicines. 1st Edition. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
(7) Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics. 2nd edition. New York, NY: Jon Wiley & Sons, 1996.
(8) Ibid.
(9) Upton R, eds. St. John’s wort, Hypercium perforatum: quality control, analytical and therapeutic monograph. Santa Cruz, CA: American Herbal Pharmacopeia; 1997; 1-32.
(10) Gulick RM, McAuliffe V, Holden-wiltse J, et al. Phase I studies of hypericin, the active compound in St. John’s wort, as an antiretroviral agent in HIV-infected adults. AIDS Clinical Trials Group Protocols 150 and 258. Ann Int Med 1999;130(6):510-4.
(11) Blumenthal M, et al. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S.Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
(12) Brinker F. Herbal contraindications and drug interactions. 2nd ed Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
(13) Utiger, RD. NEJM, 1998: Vol.338(12): 828-Editorial.
(14) JN Hathcock, A. Shao, R. Vieth, R. Heaney. Risk Assessment for Vitamin D” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. January 2007, Volume 85, Pages 6-18.