Are Wrinkles Inevitable? How the sun can cause premature ageing.
The answer, of course, is yes! Wrinkles ARE inevitable. As we age, there is an unavoidable deterioration in the quality of our skin.
And yet……
We are all know people who look much younger than their years. So how is it that they seem to be able to hold back time?
Over the course of the next few months, we are going to examine the factors that influence the ageing process including sun, genetics, diet and lifestyle so that you can separate fact from fiction and take control of things you can influence and stop worrying about the things you can’t!
Sun Damage
As we enjoy some late summer sun, we can all relate to the joy of lazy days in the garden but there is no getting away from the fact that……
SUN CAUSES WRINKLES
If you’re in any doubt about that, take a look at this picture of a truck driver and the deterioration caused to the skin by the sun on one side of the face… (Photo courtesy of New England Journal of Medicine***)
So what should we do to minimise the damaging effects of the sun's rays?
These tips won’t be new to you but sometimes we can all benefit from a reminder.
- Avoid the sun when it’s at its strongest. There is some science behind the old adage, “Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun”!
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face. These are all the rage so you have the added benefit of being able to make a bold fashion statement while fending off those pesky wrinkles.
- Use a good quality sunscreen with a minimum SPF 30. Not all sunscreens are created equal so make sure you select one that protects against UVA and UVB rays. Most people are unaware that the SPF rating only refers to UVB rays and there is a separate rating system for UVA. Whilst UVB rays are the ones that cause sunburn, the UVA rays penetrate more deeply and are responsible for the aging effect of the sun. The UVA protection rating is indicated by a star system (1-5) or by UVA surrounded by a circle.
- Fake it! Fake tanning products have come on leaps and bounds in the last few years so you can now enjoy a glorious golden glow without any skin damage at all!
Of course, hindsight is a wonderful thing so what do you do if you have already sustained some sun damage?
At Appearance Based Medicine, we offer a wide range of products and treatments to counteract the signs of aging, whatever the cause.
One particularly popular product is Profhilo, which is very effective at re-hydrating skin after too much sun exposure. Read more here about the benefits of Profhilo.
Whatever your skin concerns, why not book a consultation with the clinic and I will be able to provide you with a fully personalised treatment plan to help rejuvenate your skin.
To find out more, contact us here. Or call us directly on 01628 303020 to book your skin consultation at our Marlow clinic.
