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Vitamin C is essential for maintaining healthy and resilient skin. As we age, we naturally lose this nutrient; other factors such as exposure to pollutants, UV light and cigarette smoke can also cause a loss of vitamin C.
Vitamin C plays an important role in the formation of collagen, a protein that gives your skin its elasticity. Optimizing your skin’s level of vitamin C can help to counteract wrinkle formation by increasing collagen production amounts.
Another common skin concern that can be corrected with vitamin C is age spots caused by sun damage. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant; it can reduce the amount of sunburned cells and reduce age-related damage to cells. Although vitamin C does not replace sunscreen, it may protect against further sun damage and repair discoloration and fine lines.
Topical vitamin C is the best formulation (rather than supplement or food sources) to target signs of aging. When purchasing vitamin C, look for products that contain between 3%-10% of the active ingredient ascorbic acid or L-ascorbic acid. Apply topical vitamin C once a day, ideally after exfoliation in the morning. You can expect to see a noticeable difference in your skin within 4-8 weeks of beginning topical vitamin C. Maximum benefits are achieved with 6 months of use.
Dr. Anne Hermann, a holistic internal medicine physician, offers full aesthetic services and numerous skin care treatment regimens to her patients. Offices are maintained in Tampa and Saint Petersburg Beach, Florida. Please contact the office at (813) 902-9559 for more information or to schedule an appointment.