As one ages, skin damage becomes a larger problem. However, UVA radiation can be at least partially cushioned by ubiquinol, also known as coenzyme Q10. Not forever young, but better!
Sunlight consists of a spectrum of different wavelengths – visible light (400-700 nm), invisible ultraviolet light (UV) (280-400 nm), and invisible infrared light (700 nm – 1 mm).
Visible light and infrared light can penetrate deeper into the skin, but the probability of damage is lower. Dangerous in sunlight is the highly energetic, short-wave UV light that affects the skin cells, which then form highly reactive free radicals.
Excess free radicals damage the skin cells
These excess free radicals can damage cells. The body tries to catch and neutralize them with “antioxidants” – healing repair substances such as Vitamin C or Coenzym Q10. If an imbalance develops, in which the damaging free radicals predominate, it can result in oxidative stress.
The severity of the damage can cause respective amounts of wrinkling, chronic skin diseases, or even skin cancer. Since UV light has a short wavelength, it can only penetrate the dermis, the epidermis and skin layers near the surface. UV light occurs in three variants – ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet C (UVC), with UVA in particular being responsible for skin aging.
Coenzyme Q10 is one of the strongest antioxidants in the body
Ubiquinol protection
Now there are also substances that can protect the skin from the harmful effects of UVA rays. One of them is ubiquinol. This is the active form of coenzyme Q10, one of the strongest antioxidants in the body.
Coenzyme Q10 is a compound produced by the body and stored in the mitochondria of cells, which are responsible in the organism for energy production, among other things. They also protect cells from oxidative damage and consequential damage caused by bacteria or viruses.
Ubiquinol is involved in both energy production and cell protection and is therefore vital for the function of all body cells. Coenzyme Q10 is a protective factor for the skin, whereby activated coenzyme Q10 – i.e. ubiquinol – helps even better against skin aging than non-activated enzyme.
Study proves wrinkle protection
The results of a laboratory study were presented at a scientific conference of the Japanese Society for Anti-Aging in Japan in September 2011. The basis of the study was the oral administration of ubiquinol: The effect of this supplementation on skin aging caused by the UVA content in solar radiation was examined.
The group supplied with ubiquinol had up to 25% lower wrinkle scores.
The “measuring instrument” for this assessment was the so-called “Wrinkle Score” according to Bisett. The number and depth of wrinkles is assessed and measured and the higher the measured value, the deeper the wrinkle, the greater the sun damage. One group took ubiquinol, the other a placebo. The ubiquinol group showed up to 25% lower wrinkle scores and thus performed significantly better.
Ubiquinol has anti-inflammatory effects and supports the formation of new vessels
Inflammation parameters and vascularization were also measured. The result: If ubiquinol is taken regularly and wrinkles caused by UV radiation are reduced, there is evidence of less cellular damage to the skin tissue.
This suggests that the protective effect of ubiquinol is very likely due to inflammation inhibition and has a beneficial effect on the formation of new blood vessels.
