Why are the Cumulative Effects of Sun exposure so Damaging?
Safeguarding your skin against the sun is not something you should ignore. For as long as you live, the sun's effects will be compounded. This means that as you get older, the damage that the sun has wreaked upon our skin will become increasingly evident.
Studies have shown that both UVA and UVB radiation are responsible for solar damage to the skin. They have also shown that photoaging due to this radiation occurs within the first 20 years of your life. Therefore, the sooner you begin taking protective measures, the better off your skin will be.
Dermatoheliosis is the term used to describe the cumulative effects of chronic sun exposure. The changes in the skin range from benign proliferation of skin cells (hyperplasia) to epidermal dysplasia and neoplasia, both of which can be benign or malignant.
Dermatoheliosis also leads to blotchy pigmentation. Solar damage stimulates an abnormal deposition of clumps of elastin within the dermis, which is called elastosis. Elastosis is what leads to wrinkling.
As you age, your skin becomes more fragile and less capable of protecting itself from the sun. Also, by the time you turn 70 the cells that produce melanin, known as melanocytes, per unit area will have diminished by about 40%. As melanin protects you from photodamage, a decrease in the amount of melanocytes means skin that is more susceptible to damage.
Protecting Your Skin from the Cumulative Effects of the Sun
To help your skin have the protection it needs, it is important to use sun protection every day, even on cloudy days. The right skin care products with UVA and UVB protection are the best. The proper clothing such as wide-brimmed hats and long-sleeved shirts are also essential to protect against sun damage.
Photoaging is only one of the many results of chronic sun damage. Skin cancer is one of the most severe results of the collective effects of sun damage. Clearly, using UV protection from a young age will protect your skin, especially if you pick from our natural skin care products that are perfect for all skin types without producing any side effects.
Published January 30th, 2009
Filed in Health
