The imperfections can affect all skin types. They are caused by the presence of bacteria in the sebaceous glands. Vitamin C is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent that helps combat these skin conditions.
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- Vitamin C to combat skin imperfections.
Vitamin C to combat skin imperfections.
Acne: Origins, Causes and Definition.
According to the S.F.D. (French Society of Dermatology), acne problems affect 15 million people in France, of which 3.3 million are over the age of 15. Spots can appear both on the face and certain areas of the body (chest, back, buttocks...). The primary reason for consultation with a dermatologist, this skin condition can cause discomfort in the affected individual.
This chronic inflammatory disease develops at the level of the hair follicles-sebaceous glands : the sebaceous glands secrete a sebum that is too thick or in too large a quantity, which clogs the orifices and causes pimples and/or blackheads. This is then referred to as dysseborrhoea. This disorder is often triggered by stress, pollution and hormonal fluctuations. An unhealthy lifestyle (lack of sleep, smoking, unbalanced diet, poor hygiene…) can also trigger or worsen this sebum modification. Moreover, in this fat-rich environment, a bacterium usually present in small quantities on the skin, Propionibacterium acnes, proliferates, which triggers an inflammatory response on the skin surface. Open comedones, also called blackheads, or closed comedones called whiteheads appear. If these are superficial inflammatory lesions, you can observe red pimples or whiteheads on certain areas like the face, neck and back. In the case of deep lesions, nodules or microcysts appear on the skin.
Vitamin C can be a valuable ally in limiting blemishes and reducing the marks and scars left on the skin after an acne outbreak.
Combatting blemishes with Vitamin C.
Several studies have reported the anti-inflammatory nature of Vitamin C. It works by inhibiting NFkB, a transcription factor involved in the immune response and responsible for the activation of a number of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha, IL1, IL6 and IL8. Thus, Vitamin C prevents redness as well as post-inflammatory erythema. Furthermore, a study has demonstrated the effectiveness of Vitamin C in combating the bacterium Propionibacterium acnes, a microorganism responsible for the inflammatory reactions of acne.
Sources
CHAWLA S. Split face comparative study of microneedling with PRP versus microneedling with vitamin C in treating atrophic post acne scars. Journal of Cutaneous Aesthetic Surgery (2014).
HONGBIN L. & al. Role of vitamin C in skin diseases. Frontiers in Physiology (2018).
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