Abstract:
The quantification of skin carotenoid levels has a range of applications in Caucasian populations, from
serving as a versatile and noninvasive biomarker (e.g., of systemic carotenoid levels, carotenoid consumption,
the antioxidative capacity of skin, and oxidative stress) to being used in appearance-based interventions. Yet, no
study has investigated the quantitative effect of carotenoid supplementation on African skin. The aim of this study
was to determine if beta-carotene supplementation produces a significant color change in three different regions
of African skin. To do so we supplemented the diet of African participants with beta-carotene over an eight-week
period. Reflectance spectrophotometry measurements were taken on a weekly basis for the duration of the
supplementation study. Results show a significant increase in the carotenoid coloration of lightly pigmented
skin (palm of the hand) and highly pigmented skin with low sun exposure (inner arm) after supplementation.
The latter was no longer significant after Bonferroni correction. The carotenoid coloration of highly pigmented
skin areas with high sun exposure did not increase significantly. Skin carotenoid measurements of the palm of
the hand might, therefore, serve as a potential biomarker for systemic carotenoid concentrations in people of
African descent.
