Christmas in the Sun!

Frequent exposure to sunlight accelerates skin aging. Ironically, we are pursuing the Fountain of Youth more than ever yet doing exactly what makes the skin age the fastest – exposing it to the sun.

A sun-kissed radiance has come to symbolize the good life, a life of leisure, youth, and healthy living, to spend hours in the sun – on the beach, at the pool, on the tennis court or just working on your garden in the backyard.

Outdoor living is burning the life out of our skins. Sun exposure causes up to 80% of the changes we characterize as “aging” in our skins: Freckles, thinning or thickening of the skin, blotchy pigmentation, enlarged or broken blood vessels, loss of firmness, wrinkles & crows feet, rough texture ,”Age” or “Sun” spots.

People with fair skin who have a history of sun exposure develop more signs of photoaging than those with dark skin. In the darkest skin, the signs of photoaging are usually limited to fine wrinkles and a mottled complexion.

Photoaging occurs over a period of years. With repeated exposure to the sun, the skin loses the capability to repair itself, and the damage increases. Sun-weakened skin loses its elasticity. Skin also becomes loose, wrinkled, and leathery much earlier with unprotected exposure to sunlight.

While it may seem that the signs of photoaging appear overnight, they actually lie invisible beneath the surface of the skin for years. UV photography enables us to see the damage accumulating beneath the surface of the skin years before the signs of photoaging appear

Most of us get half our lifetime exposure to sun before we’ve reached 18. The reason we don’t notice it, is that much of the damage to our skin will only appear years later

What SPF Sunblock should I use?

Sunblock protects your skin by absorbing and/or reflecting UVA and UVB radiation. All sunblocks have a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) rating. The SPF rating indicates how long a sunscreen remains effective on the skin. A user can work out how long their sunblock will be effective by multiplying the SPF factor by how long it takes for him or her to suffer a burn without sunblock.

For instance, if you normally develop sunburn in 10 minutes without wearing a sunscreen, a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 will protect you for 150 minutes (10 minutes multiplied by the SPF of 15). Although sunscreen use helps minimize sun damage, no sunscreen completely blocks all wavelengths of UV light.

Shun the Sun

The best way to prevent skin aging and other damaging effects from the sun is to stay out of it especially between 10 am and 4 pm, when the sun’s rays are strongest.

If you can’t, apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more freely and use about two to three tablespoons for your whole body (don’t forget the lips and ears), wear a hat and sunglasses, and cover up with clothing when outdoors.

All sunscreens should be applied 15-20 minutes before sun exposure to allow a protective film to develop and should be reapplied every two hours or after going in the water or sweating.

Also avoid deliberate tanning, including the use of indoor tanning devices.

If you notice changes to your skin such as a mole changing appearance, a new growth, or a sore that won’t heal, see a doctor right away.

Treatment

If you are bothered by visible signs of aging, a number of treatments are available. Injectable fillers and Botulinus neurotoxin (botox) are suitable for people with busy lifestyles who do not want the inconvenience of a long recovery. Radiofrequency is a procedure that offers an alternative to the traditional facelift. Microdermabrasion, laser resurfacing, chemical peeling, microdermabrasion and some topical treatments can restore skin, giving it a smoother and refreshed appearance.

Scientific research in the field of anti-aging continues to give rise to new and promising treatment options. We can help you sort through the numerous options, including the many over-the-counter products.

During a consultation, we will examine your skin, discuss your expectations, and recommend suitable treatment options.