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Taking vitamins in pill form is fine, but because the bulk of them are eliminated quickly through the body, they have little, if any, effect on your skin health. However, when used topically or injected intra-muscularly, certain vitamins can have both preventative and restorative properties to the skin.
VITAMIN A
Vitamin A (also known as retinoic acid) is the most-studied vitamin in skin care. And it’s been found to have a host of important functions and benefits.
- Acne and acne-related dark marks
Many of us are most familiar with vitamin A as a treatment for acne. Vitamin A derivatives called retinoids (such as oral Accutane or topical Retin-A) normalize the way in which dead skin cells slough away, minimizing the clogging of pores that leads to the formation of acne. And because retinoids increase cell turnover, they also speed up the removal of acne dark marks and other discoloration on the skin.
- Antioxidant-Prevents wrinkles and sun spotsThe sun, aging, cigarettes, pollutants, and other producers of free radicals exert a hefty toll of oxidative damage on skin cells. Vitamin A in the skin works to eliminate these free radicals, and is therefore, a powerful agent in preventing or slowing down the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Boosts collagen production-Decreases wrinkles
As an anti-aging ingredient, Vitamin A (aka retinoic acid or retinol) not only prevents skin damage but also repairs it. It does this by stimulating the production of new collagen.
VITAMIN B
Vitamin B12 and B-complex shots have been around forever; and many people, including a lot of our clients, swear by them. Although, they are not a substitute for a good diet and exercise, they can be a great supplement to boost an already healthy lifestyle. At our office we recommend starting with a loading dose of the injections once a week for the first month and then once a month (or more) for maintenance.
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B12 vitamin
Helpful for elevating mood, energy, improving metabolism, boosting the immune system, and slowing aging.
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B-complex vitamins
Refers to the essential water-soluble vitamins, thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3),pantothenic acid (B5), pyroxidine (B6), biotin, folic acid, and the cobalamins. The B-complex vitamins are necessary for proper cell function. Benefits include promotion of healthy skin, hair and nails, good digestion, and maintenance of a healthy nervous system.
VITAMIN C
Vitamin C (also known as absorbic acid) is #2 to Vitamin A as an anti-aging powerhouse. It is an essential component of our skin structure and is vital for maintaining healthy, young skin. However, as we age, our body produces less of it naturally. Therefore, we need to replenish it exogenously.
- Critical in collagen production-Prevents wrinkles
Vitamin C is a central molecule in collagen synthesis. As we get older, vitamin C decreases, collagen diminishes and wrinkles form. By adding vitamin C to our skin, we increase collagen formation again and decrease lines and wrinkles.
- Antioxidant-Protects against and repairs sun spots and lines
Vitamin C protects skin cells against UV-induced free radicals. Therefore, it is very important in helping to reduce signs of photo damage such as discoloration (brown spots and melasma), lines and wrinkles. And research has shown that when used in combination with vitamin E, the combined vitamin C/E formulation is an even more powerful antioxidant than either vitamin alone.
- The best way to replace Vitamin C is topically
Studies have shown that vitamin C is absorbed in the skin much better than when taken orally. Vitamin C products should contain 3-20% absorbic acid and should be applied in the morning under sunscreen.
VITAMIN E
As previously mentioned, Vitamin E (also known as tocopherol) is an important antioxidant in the skin. However, despite common belief, it is not a magical healer of wounds and scars.
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Vitamin E does NOT improve scar healing and it can even make matters worse
One of the most enduring old wives’ tales is that vitamin E is a great home remedy to prevent and remove scars. However, multiple large studies have debunked that myth. Head-to-head with placebo, vitamin E has been shown to have no improved effect on the speed or appearance of scars as compared to nothing at all. And, in fact, in one large study, almost a third of the study participants got an allergic reaction to the vitamin E that caused their final scars to look even worse.
VITAMIN K
Vitamin K has gained popularity as an ingredient in eye creams and serums; mainly because it helps to reduce the worsening of under-eye dark circles.
- Decreases the leakage of blood from under-eye blood vessels
Creams with vitamin K can help to prevent dark circles from getting worse. However, they may not improve dark circles that are already severely-hyperpigmented.
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