Let’s Talk About Sun Exposure, Ladies!
July 16, 2021 by Ana
We all love summers, and sunbathing by the ocean seems like the ultimate goal for a memorable holiday. Unfortunately, while it sounds very relaxing, years of lying beneath the sun will take a toll on your skin. Wrinkles, dark spots, sagging skin, and discoloration can create a visible map of all those long days spent exposed to the sun.
Every time you go outside without applying sun protection or use a tanning bed, ultraviolet (UV) light damages your skin. In time, this damage builds up, and you begin noticing the changes to your skin. These changes make you look years older than you naturally would, and they have a name: photoaging.
The bad news is that light is around us at all times, so sun damage is a year-round problem for your skin. The good news is that photoaging can be prevented and, even if you already have visible wrinkles, there are things you can do to minimize them. If we caught your attention and you are ready to find out more, read on, ladies!
Wrinkles and Sun Exposure- Not so Fun Facts
A glowing complexion means good health, but there was a time when we also associated tanned skin with beauty without even thinking about the damage of sun rays and how it accelerates the effects of aging in the long term.
Here is how it works! The ultraviolet light (UV) damages the fibers in the skin called elastin. That’s why the skin begins to sag and stretch, and it loses its ability to go back into place after stretching. If you’re reading this at the beach and you just checked yourself in the mirror thinking it doesn’t affect you, think again. This happens in years, and the effects from sun exposure will start appearing later in your life. It, however, is cumulative and begins at an early age. Premature skin aging usually manifests as freckles, age spots (also known as liver spots), spider veins, rough and leathery skin, fine wrinkles that disappear when stretched.
But let’s dig deep and find out some interesting facts that you probably didn’t know:
- Over 90% of UV can penetrate light clouds, so a cloudy day without protection is almost similar to a sunny day
- 60% of UV is received between 10 AM and 2 PM
- Shade can reduce UV up to 50%
- Clean snow reflects up to 80% of sunburning UV. This means that even in winter or when visiting mountains, you must use protection
- Sand reflects up to 25% of UV
- The majority of sunlight impact on the skin is caused by UVB and UVA rays. While UVB rays fluctuate during the day and are more intense at noon, UVA rays are present throughout the day. UVB rays are responsible for sunburn, direct DNA damage, and skin cancer. UVA rays cause premature aging, sun allergy (that affects more than 20% of West Europe and North America population), indirect DNA damage, and genetic mutations (melanoma).
How to Prevent Photoaging
After so much disturbing information, let us tell you a fun fact! Protecting your skin from sun exposure can make you look 10 years younger than you would if you didn’t take any measure against sun damage!
Also, sun exposure is not entirely bad! It is actually quite good as sunlight can elevate mood and produces vitamin D, which is responsible for many vital processes in our organism and keeps our bones healthy. But only if you protect yourself properly, and here is what you need to do.
Use Sunscreen. DAILY!
Sun Protective Factor or SPF measures the ability of sunscreen to delay (not prevent) sunburn, which is an indication of injury to the living cells beneath the skin surface. SPF 30 means that it takes 30 times longer to burn with sunscreen than without.
A higher SPF offers superior protection. Use sunscreens with SPF 30 for daily use, even if going out to the grocery store, and sunscreens with SPF 50 for more intense sun exposure, like going to the beach.
Moisturize. Moisturize. Moisturize!
You already know that you should keep your face hydrated no matter what. But don’t forget about the rest of your beautiful skin. Use body lotion and moisturizers to keep your skin healthy! If you leave your skin dry all the time, your skin will look wrinkly and saggy.
And insist on your decollete, back of your hands, and neck area. Treat them just as you would your face by generously applying moisturizer and sunscreen.
Don’t Forget About Hydration & Diet!
A well-maintained fluidity can make your skin moisturized and will help avoid dryness. So you don’t only need to use water externally, but you also need it internally to stay young and fresh.
And, remember that you are what you eat. If you eat junk food, you can expect that your overall appearance may start looking pretty junky or change from pretty to junky. No offense!
Already Having Visible Wrinkles? Here’s What to Do!
You can correct fine wrinkles if you stretch the skin. And our Blumbody smoothing pads and patches will do that for you. Applying them each night improves irregular collagen structure and creates an increased blood flow in the area. This results in an improved skin tone and also prevents new wrinkles formation.
They are so easy to apply, comfortable, and a great choice not only for photoaging wrinkles but also for those caused by facial expressions, compression, or natural aging!
