Does Viagra Improve Your Skin?
You will undoubtedly have heard about Viagra (generic sildenafil), the little blue pill that became famous for treating erectile dysfunction. Sildenafil is a PDE5 inhibitor that allows for the relaxing of smooth muscle of blood vessels for better blood flow by blocking phosphodiesterase type 5. This clearly benefits patients with erectile dysfunction, as the leading cause of this condition is compromised blood flow in the arteries of the penis. Viagra, or sildenafil, is taken orally, which means the effects are systemic. This is why one of the potential side effects of Viagra and other PDE5 inhibitors is the flushing of the face. In the same way that it helps blood flow to the penis, it can also allow for improved blood flow to other body structures.
One of the reasons why our skin loses its luster as we age is because of lessened blood flow throughout the body. It’s a simple issue associated with a weakened cardiovascular system as we age. However, anything that improves blood flow, including Viagra, may improve the tone and look of the skin. It’s also important to discuss another popular PDE5 inhibitor known as Cialis (generic tadalafil). This works similarly, but unlike Viagra, which is typically prescribed for occasional use, there is the option to take daily low-dose tadalafil.
Should Men Take Viagra or Cialis for Skin Care?
While both drugs have an excellent safety record, people mustn’t take them for conditions that haven’t been studied. As such, we cannot recommend that patients take Viagra or Cialis off-label for skincare alone. There are plenty of other options for improving skin tone without taking prescription medication; however, as one study on this topic states,1 more investment should be placed in understanding the effects of these drugs on the skin and on improving several skin conditions.
The study also correctly states that an ideal situation would be to have a local or topical application rather than the oral route, creating a systemic effect. We do not yet have such an option.
What Other Options Can Patients Consider to Improve the Look of Their Skin?
Another possible reason for erectile dysfunction is a lack of nitric oxide. While no nitric oxide supplement exists, compounds like L-arginine and L-citrulline can spur nitric oxide production in the body, which naturally decreases with age. Diet and exercise are critically important in helping the body produce more nitric oxide, but also in improving general health, which is critical to the health of our skin.
Patients should not forget that proper hydration is essential for skin health. We encourage patients to improve their hydration status before, during, and after any of the aesthetic procedures we offer, as the results will be enhanced across the board.
There you have it. There is some truth to PDE5 inhibitor drugs like Viagra or a generic option affecting the beauty and health of your skin. However, there’s plenty for us to do before then to improve.
Resource:
- Altabas K, Altabas V, Berković MC, Rotkvić VZ. From cellulite to smooth skin: is Viagra the new dream cream? Med Hypotheses. 2009 Jul;73(1):118-9. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2009.01.020. Epub 2009 Feb 28. PMID: 19251373.