Photoaging from an oxidative standpoint

The free radical theory proposes that photoaging, which is both qualitatively and quantitatively different from chronological aging, may result from imperfect protection against cumulative stress of free radicals produced by chronic and repeated ultraviolet irradiation. Since the skin is always in contact with oxygen and is occasionally exposed to ultraviolet light, skin is one of the best target organs of environmental photo-oxidative stress. A growing body of evidence suggests that reactive oxygen species are generated by ultraviolet irradiation resulting in the structural and functional alteration of cutaneous components which should affect the photoaging process over a long period. The age-related alteration of cutaneous antioxidant defense capacity against cumulative effects of continual photo-oxidative stress to the skin may also affect the photoaging. Thus the possible use of antioxidants that attenuate photo-oxidative toxicity is believed to be an important strategy modulating photoaging. Several antioxidants have readily been proved to work in the experimental conditions. This paper reviews photoaging from a photo-oxidative standpoint and discusses the possible regulation of photoaging by antioxidants that is an important issue in the photodermatological field.