Photoaging: You Can Help Prevent it and Even Reverse it.

Photo damaging is a time-lapsed process that begins during childhood. It is the result of exposure to the sun's rays over both long and short periods. It can be acute, as in the case of a serious sunburn, or cumulative, leading to skin hyperpigmentation, (discoloration, blotches or dark brown patches,) fine lines and wrinkles, loss of elasticity and in some cases, skin cancer. All of the above are characteristics generally described as photoaging.

But what to do…since most people find it difficult to, (or choose not to) avoid the sun.

In point of fact, we all need sunlight to thrive. Light activates the production of nutrients that we require and regulates mood as well as the biochemical processes that are vital to maintaining optimal health and a youthful appearance. However, 95% of the radiation reaching the earth consists of UVA rays. It is the long lengths of UVA waves that can penetrate deeper into both the epidermis and dermis layers of the skin, causing severe structural damage right down to our DNA. So the key becomes protection rather than deprivation.