Summer is here and it is important to protect your skin from the sun.
Skin is something we can't live without. It's the largest organ in our body and one of the most mistreated. As we age 90% of the changes in our skin are caused by sun exposure, for everyone regardless of race. Yet many ignore the warnings of premature aging and worse to pursue a love affair with the sun.
Although some exposure to the sun is important to make sure a person gets enough vitamin D, about 20 minutes a day on the face and hands is considered enough for this purpose, some dermatologists recommend even less exposure.
Aging and environmental factors, such as the sun, slow skin cell functions. Skin becomes more fragile and less healthy allowing daily abuse to accelerate premature aging.
- Melanocytes over-produce melanosomes that create excessive melanin that cannot be evenly distributed; the result is mottled hyperpigmentation and dark spots.
- Damaged collagen and elastin weakens dermal connective tissue resulting in wrinkles, laxity and fragility.
- The most serious outcome of overexposure to the sun is skin cancer, a delayed effect that usually doesn't show up for many years.
It is never too late or too early to start taking care of your skin. Start today to minimize sun and other environmental damage. To learn more about repairing past sun damage ask one of us.
Know Your Enemy... The Sun
The sun has two different wavelengths of ultraviolet radiation that we need to be concerned with called UVB and UVA. UVC exposure for a length of time would destroy the skin as well, fortunately UVC is completely absorbed by the gases in the atmosphere before it reaches the ground. UVB radiation impacts the surface of the skin causing burns and UVA radiation penetrates deep into skin and heavily contributes to premature aging.
There is no such thing as "safe tanning" when it comes to UV sources. Indoor tanning devices, such as tanning beds and sunlamps, emit UV radiation that's similar to and sometimes more powerful than the sun. As a result, the FDA discourages the use of tanning beds and sunlamps.
It was once thought that UVA rays were safe, but according to the American Cancer Society, UVA radiation contributes to skin cancer formation and UVB radiation is well known to cause damage to the DNA of skin cells. Tanning, which many refer to as a "healthy look", is not healthy for your skin at all! In fact, any tan is a sign of the skin adapting to potentially damaging UV radiation. Tanning occurs when the skin produces additional coloring (pigment), trying to adapt to protect itself against sunburn.
Proper Sun Protection
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) and the number next to it refer to the degree to which a sunscreen, when properly applied, can protect the skin from sunburn. The higher the number, the more sunburn protection provided. You should use a minimum SPF 15 and reapply often. A high SPF number does not mean that you can stay out in the sun all day after one application and expect no sun damage! Always check the label for reapplication times.
The SPF number generally refers to UVB radiation protection. It is important to check the ingredients to see if UVA protection is also provided.
To learn more about choosing the proper sunscreen for your needs and skin ask one of us!
