Metformin: Anti-aging
| Best used: AM/PM | Caution: Interactions with other medications | Best for: Anti-aging, visceral fat, high glucose levels |
| Comments: Good evidence with anti-aging role | Mode of action: Anti Aging, modifies metabolism | Science Score: **** |
What is the science behind metformin?
Metformin is a medication that is used to treat type 2 diabetes. It makes your body respond better to insulin. In the context of skin & anti-aging, metformin acts on many different pathways, as written below.
Disclaimer: This page is written for some of my patients who may have skin conditions treated with metformin. I DO NOT prescribe this for anti-aging purposes not because I do not believe in the evidence, but because I am a procedural dermatologist. Every medication requires follow up. Discuss this with your doctor or research on who prescribed this medication for anti aging purposes.
How does metformin affect the skin?
Metformin has shown to be effective for the treatment of skin lesions such as AN or acanthosis nigricans. Other skin conditions include hidradenitis suppurativa, xanthomas, hirsutism & psoriasis. Topical metformin can modify the production of melanin & hence can be effective in some disorders of pigmentation.
Disclaimer: I do not prescribe metformin as first line treatment. My work is procedural. If metformin is indicated, I may refer you to a medical dermatologist, endocrinologist or back to your general practitioner. My work is based on procedural dermatology not prescription based medicine.
Can metformin be used to treat acne?
Yes. There are many supporting papers to show the efficacy of metformin in the management of hormonal acne & PCOS related acne. Metformin is not first line management as there are many other first line medications for acne including retinol, retinoids, & anti-hormone medications such as spironolactone & cyproterone acetate.
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Can metformin increase life expectancy?
There is good evidence that Metformin can increase the life expectancy. This has been demonstrated as a direct effect on animal studies. Metformin can reduce oxidative stress & inflammation, increasing life span & quality of life. Additionally metformin reduces the risks of cardiovascular events.
There are many studies to demonstrate that metformin can decrease the risks of diseases associated with diabetes, hence its role in single disease associated mortality & morbidity. The benefits of this drug is now being explored as a way to decrease age related disease in general, rather than one disease only. There are numerous ongoing studies to quantify these observations.
These views may not be known, nor endorsed by your family physician. If you are contemplating metformin please speak to your GP or an anti-aging specialist. I do not prescribe this medication as I am a procedural dermatologist. As with all medications close supervision is required.
Does metformin help reduce body fat?
There are studies showing a reduction of body fat, especially visceral abdominal fat. Several mechanisms have been proposed including changes in both metabolism (via insulin pathways) as well as reduction of appetite.
Metformin plus diet in patients with PCOS shows a greater reduction in body fat than with diet alone.
Green tea & the fuzzy bits of skin care 🍵
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👉Anti Aging: Protection against UV damage: Green tea contains antioxidants & free radical scavengers, protecting your DNA & collagen. In reality you are better off with topicals such as vitamin C & ferulic acid
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👉Acne: Catechins & polyphenols are antibacterial & anti-inflammatory in nature. Reduces sebum production (oil), adding to antiacne effects & can potentially reduce enlarged pores. Many better ways to treat acne
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👉Dark circles: Caffeine found in green tea acts as a vasoconstrictor, modulating blood flow under the eyes. You can’t get cheaper eye rejuvenation than using 2 tea bags under your eyes
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👉Oily skin: Green tea has been shown to reduce sebum or oil production in laboratory conditions. Thus it can be a useful adjunct to medically prescribed retinoids, in theory
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👉Inflamed Skin; Green Tea can calm down inflamed & angry skin. Inflammatory skin conditions include rosacea, acne, psoriasis & dermatitis. Want some results? Chuck some topical steroid
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👉Drink tea for the taste & the potential systemic benefits. If you are serious about skincare, there are far better alternatives
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😎Davin Lim
Dermatologist
Brisbane🇦🇺
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#drdavinlim #dermatologistbrisbane #organicskincare #ecoskincare #greentea #tealife #teabagadermatologist #tea #healthytea
In the 5th decade & beyond, skin requires correction. Skincare is employed to maintain results AFTER procedures such as chemical peels or lasers.
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Lasers will correct years of photodamage, deep wrinkling & pigmentation.
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Dermal fillers are employed in this age group to enhance areas lacking in volume & projection, classic areas include the cheeks, eyes, temples & perioral areas (not lips but the surrounding areas including the jawline & jowls).
Patients in this age group will benefit from skin tightening including surgical & non-surgical.
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What is the best skin care in the 50s?
Formulated skin care is best in more mature skin. The foundation does not change, regardless of age.
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AM: Cleanser, antioxidants (CE, ferulic acid, resveratrol). SPF
PM: Cleanser, ingredient list depends on concerns.
* Retinol or prescription retinoids: to help reduce collagen loss & improve skin quality.
* Pigment correctors: to reduce sun induced & hormonal hyperpigmentation.
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What are the best procedures in the 50s?
Focus on improving your skin texture. This means correction of sunspots, pigmentation, creases & deeper wrinkles. You should balance this with addressing volume deficits & skin laxity.
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Skin texture can be rectified with lasers, including vascular, pigment, CO2 & erbium resurfacing.
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Skin laxity can be addressed with a combination of lasers, HIFU, RF, PDO threads & collagen stimulating fillers. The ideal combination depends on your skin’s chronological ageing, your ethnicity & goals.
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Skin volume can be addressed with either hyaluronic acid fillers (works faster) or collagen stimulating dermal fillers (works much slower, but last longer).
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#skincarecommunity #skincareobsessed #skincareaddict #skincarescience #skincareblog #skincaretips #dermatology #drdavinlim #internationaldermatologist #protectyourcollagen #dontcatchchylamidia #normalskin #brisbanedermatologist #50sskincare #collagen #dullskin #sunscreen #tcapeels #50
Know your routine and how it helps your skin 👉
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🔍Retinol is a Vitamin A analogue. This skincare active can reduce acne, blackheads, whiteheads, treat unwanted pigmentation & reduce photoaging . Brands include Aspect Doctor available at @theformulated. Discuss with your dermatologist if prescription retinoids are suitable for your skin type
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🔍AHAs include lactic acid, glycolic acid & citric acid. Drunk elephant makes a super potent mixture of skin acids with their baby facial line. Other recommendations include Neostrata , The Ordinary & The Inkey List. AHAs can improve #blackheads, fine lines & wrinkles as well as improve skin pigmentation. AHAs, like retinoids can make you more sun sensitive
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🍊Vitamin C or ascorbic acid forms part of the ABCs of skin care. C is an #antioxidant, protecting your skin from free radicals. ‘C’ can also build collagen & reduce pigmentation. Caution in patients with sensitive skin- rosacea I suggest starting at a lower concentration such as 10% & increasing SLOWLY as tolerated to 15, then 20%. Formulations will vary depending on the brand. C can be combined with E & Ferulic Acid to form CE Ferulic Acid, a potent antioxidant combination! @skinceuticals have a CE Ferulic available online and in store at @theformulated 🔥
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💬 What combinations of skin care do you love using?
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😎Davin Lim
Brisbane/Meanjin🇦🇺
@theformulated @cutis_dermatology
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#skincaretips #skincarecommunity #skincarebasics #dermatologistbrisbane #brisbanedermatologist #bestskincare #simpleskincaretips #skinacids #Skincare #dermatologist #acne
Stick to this simple skincare pyramid for best results
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👍🏻Prevention is with sunscreen. Spf 50 +, twice a day. Buy something you actually LIKE to use. IMO choosing a cosmetically elegant product with less sun protection is a compromise between application and SPF rating.
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🛡Protect with antioxidants including vitamin E, ferulic acid, ascorbic acid, #resveratrol, CoQ10, green tea & botanicals
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🍊Supplement with vitamins including retinol/retinoids, niacinamide & vitamin C
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🖌Correct (if needed) with anti-acne, anti-inflammatory, or anti-pigment
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💯Purposeful skincare saves time, money, and provides the best outcomes
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😎Dr Davin Lim
Dermatologist
@drdavinlim
Brisbane🇦🇺
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#acneskincaretips #dermatology #drdavinlim #davinlim #theformulated #skincarescience #skincareroutine #simpleskincare #retinoltips #retinol #skincarebasics #instaskincare #skincarecommunity #cosmeticdoctor #dermatologist #dermatologistbrisbane #ascorbicacid #skinhealth #healthyskintips #healthyskin
What is the usual dose of metformin?
Dosing will vary with your condition & intended use. Be guided by your endocrinologist or physician. For anti-aging, the usual dose is between 500 mg to 2500mg daily.
What are the side effects of metformin?
Side effects of oral metformin are rare, but include skin rashes as well as changes in metabolism. There are reports of metformin decreasing testosterone levels as well as mitochondrial activity. The latter could have implications for people who undertake heavy exercise. There are numerous interactions with medications that act on the cytochrome P450 pathway. Be guided by your physician & pharmacist.
Davin’s ProTip on Metformin
This is a promising drug for anti-aging. The skin benefits are seen in patients who have insulin mediated skin conditions including acanthosis nigricans, some forms of hyperpigmentation, as well as hormonal acne & even psoriasis.
The true efficacy of metformin on other aspects of ageing including facial fat metabolism, wrinkles & oxidative stress associated changes have not been studied nor quantified. I suspect there will be more studies in the next 10-25 years.
Disclaimer: This page is written for some of my patients who may have skin conditions treated with metformin. I DO NOT prescribe this for anti-aging purposes not because I do not believe in the evidence, but because I am a procedural dermatologist. Every medication requires follow up. Discuss this with your doctor or research on who prescribed this medication for anti aging purposes.
