Skin Aging & Photoaging

Skin aging is the result of two distinct, biological processes which may occur concurrently: extrinsic and intrinsic aging. The first chapter of this book focuses on the anti-skin aging effects of natural products, such as polyphenols and terpenes using topical application and oral administration. Future prospects for this field of research will focus on natural products combined with molecular techniques to help maximize the desired anti-skin aging benefits. The second chapter provides a brief review of skin characteristics, skin aging mechanisms and dermal applications. The next chapter of the book reviews the types of pollution and external aggression that skin is exposed to and reviews recently published studies that report that cumulative exposure to the five daily environmental aggressors (pollution, sun, cold, heat and wind) increase this skin damage. The remaining chapters review the role of inflammation in regulation of skin aging; the relevant methods, the physiological structure and function of the Stratum Corneum, as well as the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic aging on these parameters; the physiology of skin photoaging and the emerging therapies for combating photoaging and photocarcingenesis; and the biological effects and the latest findings on the role of macrophage migration inhibitory factors (MIF) in photoaging following UV exposure.