Vitamin K is most commonly known for its use in children's nurseries. It is able to aid blood clotting and has been shown to be effective in lessening the potential for infant hemorrhaging. In the cosmetic industry, however, vitamin K oxide is used for the many advantages that it has for the skin, including the ability to reduce the time of recovery from the use of a pulsed dye laser.
When vitamin KH2 is oxidized, it provides sufficient energy for driving carboxylation reaction. This results in the creation of vitamin K oxide, which is the desirable form of this nutrient for using it in cosmetic products. Although infants are given vitamin K injections because of its effectiveness as a coagulant, vitamin K when used in topical applications is unstable by nature.
Alternatively, vitamin K oxide has demonstrated stability in topical formulations as well as an effectiveness in reducing the appearance of a broad range of cosmetic issues. It is believed that vitamin K oxide helps increase the elasticity of the skin, allowing for a more supple and youthful appearance. The increased stability of vitamin K oxide when used in topical formulations helps increase the shelf life of the products in which it is used.
This vitamin provides external improvements by stimulating the vitamin K healing cycle. When the body suffers from distress, vitamin K is converted into vitamin K oxide, which enhances clotting. Vitamin K oxide then reverts back to vitamin K, thus blocking the production of hemosiderin, the staining agent responsible for bruising. For this reason, this vitamin has proved itself able to reduce the amount of time necessary to recover from post-surgical purpura that has been laser-induced.
In addition, this nutrient is used in many cosmetic applications to address under-eye bruises and swelling. Studies also have shown this vitamin to be capable of reducing fine wrinkles. It is thought to be able to enhance vasculature and eliminate or reduce areas of discoloration. It accomplishes much of this by strengthening the capillary walls.
Most topical vitamin K products are designed to address minor sunburns and burns and to reduce the redness that is associated with blood vessels that are broken or distressed. These creams typically are intended to be applied to the affected areas on a daily basis for several weeks. The products produce a broad range of results that normally are determined by the quality of the active ingredients and the actual content of the vitamins.
Many of the available cosmetic applications that contain this nutrient are offered as a gel. The typical vitamin dosage when applied in this fashion is 5 milligrams, but some products contain as many as 10 grams. The use of a gel as a base for the vitamin dosage ensures better delivery of the vitamin. It also helps ensure that the vitamin K oxide remains active and effective.
When used as part of a post-operative treatment, the gel should be applied to the affected area immediately following the procedure. It is then recommended that these products be reapplied to the area on a regular basis until the discoloration from laser surgery begins to abate. These products typically are not recommended for use in areas of broken skin or on or in open wounds.