Caffeine beats skin cancer

Researchers are now looking for ways to reverse the damage to the affected skin cells and lower the risk for development of skin cancer. A few years ago, investigators found women who drank at least six cups of coffee/day had about a 30 percent lower rate of nonmelanoma skin cancer compared to non-coffee drinkers.

In a recent study, researchers at the University of Washington in Seattle exposed a group of mice to UV radiation. Then, a one-percent caffeine solution was placed on the skin of half the mice. The other half received a solution without any caffeine. The investigators found the mice who received the caffeine solution had fewer damaged skin cells compared to those who received the no-caffeine solution.

Researchers know that caffeine doesn’t prevent skin cell damage. They also don’t think it will be useful for skin cancer that has already been established. Thus if a caffeine product is developed, it would be used after sun exposure. Caffeine may also be added to sunscreens to boost skin protection and repair capacity after being out in the sun.

There may also be another benefit from the caffeine. Microscopic examination of skin after use of the caffeine solution shows the skin cells revert to a younger, less damaged state, which may promote a more youthful appearance.