Serum Vitamin D and Facial Aging: Is There a Link?

• Published in: Skin pharmacology and physiology Vol. 29; no. 2; pp. 76 - 82
• Main Authors: Dawoud, Noha M., Bakry, Ola A., Shoeib, Mohamed A., Ismael, Huda N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel, Switzerland S. Karger AG 01.05.2016
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aging; Alfacalcidol; Calcifediol; Egypt - epidemiology; Female; Health aspects; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Original Paper; Physiological research; Skin; Skin Aging - pathology; Skin Aging - physiology; Vitamin D; Vitamin D - analogs & derivatives; Vitamin D - blood; Vitamin D Deficiency - blood; Vitamin D Deficiency - diagnosis; Vitamin D Deficiency - epidemiology; Young Adult; Egypt; Aging; 25-hydroxyvitamin D; Face; Enzyme immunoassay
• ISSN: 1660-5527; 1660-5535
• DOI: 10.1159/000443839

Background: The vitamin D endocrine system, besides multiple other functions, regulates aging in many tissues, including the skin. It protects the skin against the hazardous effects of many skin age-inducing agents, including ultraviolet radiation. Thus, in the present study we aimed to investigate the relationship between facial skin aging and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] serum levels in healthy Egyptian adults. Methods: Sixty-one healthy adult subjects were included. Photodamage scores (erythema/telangiectasias, lentigines, hyperpigmentation and coarse wrinkling) were assessed and graded. Serum vitamin D was measured using enzyme immunoassay and subjects were classified as sufficient, insufficient or deficient according to the vitamin level. Results: The mean 25(OH)D serum level was 43.90 nmol/l. A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was detected in the studied subjects regardless of their age or gender. Also, vitamin D levels were not correlated with photodamage scores and were not affected by the Fitzpatrick skin phototype, duration of sun exposure per day or the use of sunscreens (p > 0.05 for all). Conclusions: Aging is a complex process that is influenced by many genetic and environmental factors. Facial aging is not correlated with serum vitamin D level, and clinical trials using oral or topical vitamin D to combat aging are better predictors of its effects rather than in vivo studies.