Open AccessHyperbaric oxygen improves ultraviolet B irradiation‐induced melanin pigmentation and diminishes senile spot size
Author(s) -
Nishizaka Takahiro,
Nomura Tomoko,
Sano Tomohiko,
Higuchi Kazuhiko,
Nagatomo Fumiko,
Ishihara Akihiko
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
skin research and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.521
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1600-0846
pISSN - 0909-752X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0846.2011.00502.x
Subject(s) - melanin , oxygen , irradiation , hyperbaric oxygen , erythema , chemistry , medicine , dermatology , surgery , biochemistry , physics , organic chemistry , nuclear physics
Background: The effects of exposure to hyperbaric oxygen on ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation‐induced melanin pigmentations of skins and on senile spot sizes of faces were investigated. Methods: In the first experiment, male subjects were irradiated with UVB on their upper arms for inducing erythema and the subsequent melanin pigmentation. They were exposed to a hyperbaric environment at 1.25 atmospheres absolute (ATA) with 32% oxygen for 1 h/day, three times per week. In the second experiment, female subjects were exposed to a hyperbaric environment at 1.25 ATA with 32% oxygen for 1 h/day, two times per week. Results: In the first experiment, melanin pigmentations lightened after 4 weeks of exposure to hyperbaric oxygen. In the second experiment, senile spot sizes became small after 12 weeks of exposure to hyperbaric oxygen. Conclusion: We concluded that exposure to hyperbaric oxygen used in this study accelerates both the fading in melanin pigmentation and the decrease in senile spot size.