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Copyright @ Pol J Cosmetol
Pol J Cosmetol 2018, 21(2): 145-149pl  Vitamin K - old vitamin and new perspectives in cosmetologyMartyna Waliczek, Aleksandra Kulik, Sylwia Duda, Przemysław Nowak Zakład Toksykologii i Ochrony Zdrowia w Środowisku Pracy, Katedra Toksykologii i Uzależnień, Wydział Zdrowia Publicznego w Bytomiu, Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Katowicach Summary Vitamin K is a collective term for naphthoquinone derivatives synthesized only in eubacteria and plants and acting as an essential cofactor in posttranslational modification catalyzed by γ-carboxylase. It is required for the biological functions of proteins that control blood coagulation, bone metabolism and other important physiological processes. Although Vitamin K is well known as an anti-hemorrhagic factor, other pharmacological activities and potential therapeutic or cosmeceutical uses in skin problems have emerged in recent years. Application of vitamin K to the skin has been successfully used for suppression of purpura and resolution of bruising resulted from laser therapies. Interestingly, therapy interfering with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation in patients with selected cancers results in the development of an acneiform follicular skin exanthema in more than 80% of patients. To date, despite a plethora of consensus recommendations and expert opinions, there is a requirement for developing new strategies for the management of the skin rash that occurs in patients receiving EGFR-targeted drugs. Recently, topical vitamin K treatment has demonstrated significant clinical efficacy in the absence of any toxicity in patients undergoing anty-EGRF therapies. In conclusion topical vitamin K may be considered as an agent: 1. preventing vascular events due to aging, 2. vascular damage and bruising after skin injury, 3. skin irritation after laser treatment and 4. drugs induced exanthema. Key words: vitamin K, skin, cosmeceutics |