Oral Photoprotection

Abstract

Better understanding of molecular damage caused by solar radiation has led to the growing study of molecules with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity against photodamage. Oral use of these substances is considered an important coadjutant in photoprotection strategy, due to two general mechanisms: prevention and mitigation of photodamage. Coming from nutrients, such as vitamins and functional foods, or herbal extracts, and, more recently, probiotics, molecules with oral photoprotection action have antioxidant action, protecting especially from damage to DNA and protein and lipid structures, but they can also prevent or mitigate UV-induced inflammation, acting on the epidermis and dermis. An increase in the minimal erythema dose has also been shown with some associations of nutrients.