DNA REPAIR : TRUTH OR FRAUD ?

As the skin care technology continues to advance, the dilemma you faced
to choose a correct product becomes much confusing than ever.

Many products now claimed to be able to 'repair' DNA,
and ultimately slow down the ageing process.
Can anything fix damaged DNA? How is DNA repair related to ageing?

We know your confusion,
but first, let us explain :

What is DNA ?

Every cell has DNA as it carries the important genetic information.
Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) has two strands of polynucleotide chains,
that their sequences of bases produce numerous proteins
to allow the cells to carry out their function.

Why is DNA important?

DNA strands have specific base sequences that can produce specific polypeptide chains.
These polypeptide chains can be structural proteins, enzymes,
hormones, antibodies and others, depending on the functions of the cell.

In the case of skin cell, DNA has many vital functions.
One of them is to instruct the production of polypeptide chains
such as collagen and elastin (which are important for skin health).

How does DNA become damaged? What is the effect?

Chemical mutagens such as tar in cigarette, UV rays
and other electromagnetic waves can damage the DNA.
The DNA is damaged when its base sequence is altered by the agents.

When the base sequence changes, the polypeptide chains produced
become different and cannot function as they were intended to.
(Hence no functional collagen and elastin for your skin!)

Now you know that DNA is 'kinda' fragile.
But fret not.
Over million years of evolution, human has developed
its own repair mechanism - DNA repair enzymes.

DNA repair enzymes, such as photolyase, reverse DNA damages
and prevent cell death caused by excessive UV exposure.

(Read more on UV damages in Sunlight : The Unexpected Damage On Skin
& sunscreen protection against UV in Sun Care : It's Never Too Late )

So let's back to our topic :

Is DNA Repair product a marketing fraud?

The answer is - NO!

Many products have found to have photolyase
as their active ingredients to serve as the DNA repairing agent.

How does DNA repair relate to anti-ageing?

DNA repair enzyme is actually naturally found within the skin.
However, good things never last - it depletes with age.
This means in the ageing process, the repairing action decreases.
At the end, the repairing action is negligible
compared to the damage accumulated.
The skin health is jeopardized.

Therefore, adding photolyase into your daily regimen
actually temporarily increases concentration of DNA repair enzymes
to effectively reverse all the damages on the DNA.

Note that even though photolyase requires light to be activated,
weak in-door light or light that passes through sunscreen
is sufficient to activate it.
Hence, it is an ideal addition to sunscreen.

BOTTOM LINE :

Photolyase is definitely part of the
most exciting advanced skin care!

FOR THE SCIENCE BUFF : MORE ABOUT PHOTOLYASE

Photolyase is an enzyme that presents in many plants and animals.
However, it is no longer working in mammals including human
as due to evolution mammals now rely on
another less efficient DNA repair mechanism.

This enzyme captures energy from sunlight
and utilizes it to split apart the damage-fused DNA.
This mechanism is known as photoreactivation.