Exposure to sunlight has health benefits, as the ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun provide an important source of vitamin D, which not only helps strengthen bones and teeth but also is vital to the maintenance of appropriate levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood. But too much sun exposure, more than 10-15 minutes per day, can be harmful in more ways than one. In addition to the danger of skin cancer, continuous long-term sun exposure promotes premature aging of the skin, or “photoaging,” which makes one appear older than his or her age and it often occurs before 30.
A suntan is widely viewed as a sign of good health when, in actuality, it is the result of injury to the epidermis caused by intense and long-term exposure to sunlight. The UV rays from the sun accelerate the production of melanin in the top layer of the skin, which produce the darker color of a “tan” and begins the photoaging process.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the visible results of photoaging include thinner skin, deep wrinkles, uneven pigmentation, roughness, dryness, freckles, fine red veins on the cheeks, nose, and ears, and large brown lesions called macules on the face and other exposed parts of the body.
The good news about photoaging is that it is preventable. The following tips offered by experts at the Mayo Clinic and the American Academy of Dermatology may not only protect you from cancer-causing UV rays, but they are also some of best anti-aging remedies to help your skin escape permanent damage:
- Avoid midday sun. It is a good idea to plan your outdoor activities to avoid sun exposure from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. when the sun's rays are the most damaging.
- Use sunscreen. If you intend to be in the sunlight for more than 20 minutes, you will want to use a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher, even on cloudy days when 80% of the sun's UV rays still penetrate the clouds. You should apply sunscreen 20-30 minutes before going outdoors and reapply it every two hours. The most effective sunscreens are those that block both UVA and UVB rays, and a careful reading of the product labels will help you determine which one you should use. Year-round use of sunscreen may be advisable if you live in the tropics where the sun's rays are more damaging or if you live at a high altitude where UV radiation “increases 4 to 5 percent for every 1,000 feet above sea level.”
- Wear protective clothing. Wearing long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, preferably made of nylon and polyester or tightly woven cotton blends, provide excellent protection from the harmful UV rays. A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses are also helpful by protecting the delicate skin around your eyes, which is very susceptible to premature aging and is prone to cancer.
- Use a moisturizer daily. Moisturizing your skin daily helps protect it from the harmful rays of the sun. Dr. Victoria A. Cirillo-Hiland, of the Bryn Mawr Skin and Cancer Center, recommends creams over lotions because creams have a more moisturizing effect on the skin.
- Avoid sun lamps and tanning beds. Sun lamps and tanning beds use artificial UV light, which can also damage skin cells and may lead to the development of skin cancer.
While no one can stop the aging process, you can slow it down. Be kind to the largest organ in your body-your skin-and it will be kind to you.
