CoQ10 skin benefits are particularly important during the summer months, when prolonged exposure to the sun can accelerate the damaging process of photoaging.
The term photoaging refers to the cumulative results of exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, which can lead to a host of skin problems.
Wrinkles, dark spots, saggy tone, leathery texture, and visibly broken blood vessels – in brief, just about every skin condition associated with aging – are all known to be exacerbated by UV exposure.
The negative effects of UV exposure can not only increase the appearance of natural age-related skin conditions, it can greatly hasten their appearance, resulting in skin that looks much older than it should.
In fact, most experts agree that as much as 90% of premature skin aging symptoms can be attributed to photoaging.
How Photoaging Happens
UV exposure affects the skin in a number of ways. On some areas of the body the epidermis, or surface layer of skin, reacts to UV exposure by becoming thicker and coarser, and may also develop blotchy discolorations known as age spots.
At the same time, the outer layer of skin in sensitive areas such as the face may become thinner, more delicate, and more prone to bruising.
The skin around the eyes may also become less opaque, leading to the appearance of dark circles.
The dermis, or deep layer of skin, also undergoes changes triggered by UV exposure. The dermis tends to become thinner and less resilient, providing less support for the epidermis.
Most importantly, UV radiation is known to lead to the creation of free radicals, chemically imbalanced molecules that scavenge and damage the cells with which they interact.
Free radical damage breaks down the collagen/elastin structure of the skin itself, accelerating the normal age-related breakdown of collagen and leading to the production of abnormal elastin fibers in the dermis.
This process weakens the basic structure of the dermis, and wrinkling, furrowing, and saggy skin is the inevitable result.
How CoQ10 Skin Benefits Can Help
Coenzyme Q10, which is a vitamin-like substance naturally produced by the body, plays two crucial roles in protecting against photoaging. Its primary function is in the production of energy at the cellular level, and in that capacity it strengthens and revitalizes skin cells, making them less vulnerable to sun damage.
CoQ10 is also known to be a powerful antioxidant, which means it is iapable of preventing, repairing, and in some cases even reversing the damage done by free radicals. This function is important in all aspects of health, but it is absolutely crucial in the prevention of photoaging.
The Older We Get, The More CoQ10 We Need
Coenzyme Q10 is essential to health at every stage of life, but a growing body of research indicates that keeping levels optimum is particularly crucial as we age.
Unfortunately, the body’s production of the coenzyme peaks sometime around age 20 and drops off sharply thereafter, making supplementation vital for older people.
There is currently no specific RDA for the coenzyme. While experts vary on the amount needed, typical dosage recommendations range from 50 to 200 mgs per day and some studies have reported significant positive results from much higher dosages.
Consulting with a physician before adding CoQ10 supplements is suggested.
