Anti-Aging Potentials of Methylene Blue for Human Skin Longevity (2017)

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-02419-3

This groundbreaking study investigated methylene blue's effects on skin aging, demonstrating its potency as a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger in cultured human skin fibroblasts from both healthy donors and patients with progeria, a genetic premature aging disease. The researchers found that methylene blue was more effective than other widely used antioxidants in stimulating skin fibroblast proliferation and delaying cellular senescence, establishing its potential as an anti-aging compound for dermatological applications1.

When applied to a 3D reconstructed human skin model, methylene blue significantly improved skin viability, promoted wound healing, increased skin hydration, and enhanced dermis thickness. Gene expression analysis revealed that methylene blue treatment altered the expression of extracellular matrix proteins, including upregulation of elastin and collagen 2A1, two essential components for healthy skin. Safety testing indicated that low concentrations of methylene blue (less than 2.5 μM) neither irritated nor colored the skin, making it suitable for long-term use in skincare applications1.