Here’s a new twist on exposure to UV light. There is now a product that is touted to harness UV light for anti-aging.
I do not really understand the blurb about the product. All I can gather is that the aim is to convert the energy form UV light into some other form of energy that is anti-aging. This is supposed to stimulate fibroblast growth in the skin, so that increased cell activity in the skin improves the skin.
The product called BioLumen Firm has “proanthocyanin fluorophores isolated from Morinda citrifolia or noni extract, which are then coated onto an inert tricalcium phosphate substrate – making them able to effectively absorb UV energy.”
Morinda citrifolia is a tropical tree that is also known as Indian Mulberry, Dog Dumpling (!), Cheese Fruit and Vomit Fruit, amongst other names. It is related to coffee and the bark is used for dying in batik. Oil from the seed has been investigated for use on skin as an anti-inflammatory, for acne and to retain moisture (more info about the plant, see Wikipedia).
I did not know tricalcium phosphate (Ca3(PO4)2) absorbs UV energy. It is used as an anti-caking agent, and as an abrasive and whitener in toothpaste.
The company (Arch Personal Care) says it can be incorporated in sunscreens. They in a trial it improved skin appearance and at the highest concentration improved elasticity.
If it works, it is certainly a clever idea. Getting some sun is now becoming less vilified, first with the realization that we need vitamin D (see post more evidence of benefits of vitamin D and now perhaps harnessing the sun for anti-aging.
photo credit: tonrulkens
