If the beauty industry is nothing unfamiliar to you, you’ll know that thousands of anti-aging products are rife with retinol, green tea extract, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, and more. Methylene Blue may sound intimidating—but it demonstrates incredible potential to delay skin aging. Once a new player in anti-aging creams and serums, Methylene Blue is now a beauty industry game-changer.
What Causes Wrinkles?
As you age, your cells stop dividing as productively as they used to due to DNA damage. As such, your health, stamina, and overall vitality suffer. The skin is the most visibly aging organ in the human body, prone to wrinkles and discoloration.
Responsible for the aging process are fibroblasts, which produce biological materials such as cartilage and bone. On a granular level, fibroblasts also produce collagen and an essential protein called elastin. Elastin provides flexibility, allowing the skin to stretch easily. Older skin, however, sags and creases.
When new skin grows, the fibroblasts in your skin produce enzymes that signal cells to break down old collagen. As you age, fibroblasts produce protein less evenly, prioritizing enzymes over collagen, increasing broken fibers.
Unlike young skin, broken fibers create the appearance of non-homogenous skin, driving a feedback cycle that causes it to tear easily. With less to grip onto, fibroblasts also produce less elastin, leaving skin far less capable of pulling back to its original smoothness.
How DNA Damage Impacts the Skin
In some people, DNA damage may look more or less pronounced. Some will appear older than their biological age due to multiple factors that may influence fibroblast cellular replication. For instance, if you’re a frequent tanner, extended exposure to UV light can cause more significant DNA damage. Similarly, carcinogens found in cigarette smoke can also increase the likelihood of DNA damage.
Other studies suggest that reactive oxygen species (ROS) chemicals can damage cellular structures, namely, fibroblast DNA. These molecules are oxygen-containing and tend to rip electrons from other molecules, causing oxidative stress in the skin.
Where Does Methylene Blue Step In?
Antioxidants effectively neutralize electron-grabbing-hole-forming chain reactions caused by ROS—this is where methylene blue comes into the picture. In a University of Maryland study, researchers applied ROS chemicals to:
They then applied varying amounts of methylene blue to lab-grown artificial skin. Results demonstrated that methylene blue improved the skin’s water retention and made long-term changes to existing skin cells.
What Role Does Methylene Blue Play?
In cosmetics, Methylene Blue has become the central player in anti-aging creams and sprays. In a few weeks, Methylene Blue can reduce fine lines and wrinkles, hydrate the skin, and promote a healthier, younger appearance.
Conclusion
Methylene Blue can result in smoother skin after just a few applications. A rejuvenating method of repairing skin cell health and promoting collagen and elastin production, Methylene Blue, is now one of the most sought-after ingredients in skincare products.
At Bluelene, all our products feature a paraben-free and a touch of Methylene Blue for maximum efficacy. Our anti-oxidant skin formulations are refreshing and effortless to apply. Whether you are a fan of our methylene blue skin cream or moisturizer, our safe and gentle products are perfect for every skin type.