Sun Damaged Skin

Lines and wrinkles are more than just years on the clock. Environmental and lifestyle factors can play a significant part in the aging of the skin.

The most common culprit is UV light which cause free radicals to form in the skin. Free radicals attack the skin, causing major changes, including:

  • Collagen Breakdown
  • Loss of elasticity
  • Uneven pigmentation

This process is commonly called photo-aging - resulting in:

  • Wrinkles
  • Hyperpigmentation
  • Potentially serious skin conditions (Skin Cancer)

*Protect yourself from the sun*

First Line of Defence - Sunscreen

Sunscreens are an important first line of defence and to prevent lines and wrinkles should be worn every day.

Most people don't understand that SPF measures UVB only, SPF is a multiple for how long you can be exposed to UVB without burning. SPF does not measure protection from the longer, more harmful UVA rays which cause skin aging.

Most sunscreens don't completely protect you from UVA radiation. UVA rays are 100 times more plentiful than UVB rays and are present all year and can penetrate clouds, clothes and windows and also penetrate30-40 times deeper into the skin.

Not all sunscreens and sunscreen ingredients are alike and when formulated properly, both chemical and physical ingredients can be made into safe, effective, cosmetically elegant sunscreens. However, even the best sunscreen and the healthiest lifestyle can't completely prevent attack.

Sunscreens are an important first line of defence, but studies show that they only block up to 55% of free radicals. A second line of defence is needed - antioxidants.

Second Line of Defence - Antioxidants

Our bodies use antioxidants naturally to protect us from free radical attack.

Antioxidants are free radical scavengers. Regardless of the source of the free radicals, antioxidants can neutralize them. However, humans do not produce antioxidants and must obtain them through their diet. The body limits the amount of antioxidants it delivers to the skin, supplying the other major organs of the body first. You can add to the skin's antioxidant supply by topically applying an antioxidant, but they must be formulated properly to be effective. The antioxidant must be in a form the body can use and it needs to be formulated properly and proven to raise skin levels of the antioxidant.

If you have sun damaged skin, please see skin ceuticals for more information

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