When it comes to skin aging, there’s only one king, the sun. The rays of the sun have no equal when it comes to damaging the skin. The days of getting a “healthy glow” are over now that people understand what effect sun exposure has on their skin.
Here is some information on how the sun affects your skin.
How sun exposure accelerates skin aging
The sunlight that reaches the skin can be classified into UVA, UVB and UVC rays, basically ultraviolet A, B, and C. UVC rays are the strongest yet they rarely penetrate the earth’s atmosphere due to the protective ozone layer. UVA (longwave ultraviolet radiation) rays penetrate the dermis (the skin’s deeper layer below the epidermis) and lead to the appearance of the common signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles. This is in part because these rays affect the body’s production of collagen and elastin. UVB (short wave ultraviolet) radiation is culprit behind painful sunburns because UVB rays only hit the epidermis.
Areas with thinner skin need more attention when protecting them from the sun, as they are even more susceptible to damage. These areas are the face, neck, and hands. Of course, these are also the areas that are the least covered when we are out in the sun!
Anti-sun damage arsenal
Regular, religious use of sunscreen isn’t an option, it’s a requirement if you want to keep your skin from aging prematurely. The SPF value should never be below 15, and the sunscreen should block UVA and UVB rays.
Utah Facial Plastics should also be a part of your fight against sun-damaged skin. We offer a variety of procedures, both surgical and non-surgical, that address sun damage. Call us at 801-776-2220 to schedule an appointment.