Sun safety: wrinkles and aging. How does it happen?

According to fda.gov, they advise you to limit your time in the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; wear clothing to cover skin exposed to the sun, such as long-sleeve shirts, pants, sunglasses, and broad-brim hats; and use broad-spectrum sunscreens with an SPF value of 15 or higher regularly and as directed. (Broad-spectrum sunscreens offer protection against both UVA and UVB rays, two types of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation.)

But how does the sun cause wrinkles? According to Hopkinsmedicine.org UVB rays cause a much greater risk of skin cancer than UVA, but UVA rays cause aging, wrinkling, and loss of elasticity. UVA also increases the damaging effects of UVB, including skin cancer and cataracts.

In most cases, ultraviolet rays react with melanin. This is the first defense against the sun. A sunburn develops when the amount of UV damage exceeds the protection that the skin's melanin can provide. A small amount of sun exposure is healthy and pleasurable, but  too much can be dangerous. Measures should be taken to prevent overexposure to sunlight. 

Wrinkles, sun, spots and discoloration

Common signs of sun-damaged skin include coarse wrinkles (deep lines and creases) leathery texture (thick, rough skin), sun spots, age spots and freckles, broken-appearing blood vessels (often on the face), and sagging or lax skin. 

From the Cleveland clinic, some detailed information:

Sun damage, or photoaging, occurs when ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun penetrates the skin and alters it at a cellular and structural level. It breaks down essential structural proteins, mutates cellular DNA, and causes pigment irregularities. UV rays (specifically UVA) penetrate deep into the dermis—the skin's middle layer—where they trigger the production of free radicals. These free radicals damage the enzymes responsible for creating collagen and elastin. This degrades the structural network that keeps skin firm and tight, leading to premature sagging, fine lines, and deep wrinkles. Both UVA and UVB rays directly penetrate skin cells and damage their genetic material (DNA). This damage alters the way cells grow and divide. When cellular DNA accumulates mutations faster than the body can repair them, it can lead to precancerous spots (like actinic keratosis) and skin cancers, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. When UV radiation hits the skin, it stimulates melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) to produce extra melanin. A tan is actually the body's defense mechanism to block radiation from penetrating deeper. Over time, this overproduction and clumping of melanin results in uneven skin tone, including freckles, age spots and melasma (hyperpigmentation). Sun exposure damages the skin's local immune system and weakens the walls of small blood vessels. The result: impaired wound healing and a lowered ability to fight off cancerous cells. It also causes telangiectasia, commonly known as spider veins or broken capillaries, on the face. 

How much sunscreen should I use and how often should I apply it?

According to the American Academy of dermatology

most adults need about 1 ounce of sunscreen — roughly the amount to fill a shot glass — to fully cover skin not covered by clothing. 

When applying sunscreen to your face, use at least 1 teaspoon (about the amount needed to cover the length of your index and middle fingers).

Don't forget to apply it to the tops of your feet, your neck, your ears, and the top of your head.

Apply sunscreen to dry skin 15 minutes before going outdoors.

Skin cancer also can form on the lips. To protect your lips, apply a lip balm or lipstick that contains sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

When outdoors, reapply sunscreen approximately every two hours, or after swimming or sweating, according to the directions on the bottle.

Skin types and sun tolerance.

Sun Tolerance Time: Very fair skins may burn within 5–10 minutes, while olive or darker skins may tolerate sun for up to 40 minutes before damage occurs. 

Darker skin has more melanin, which acts as natural sunscreen, but is still susceptible to skin cancer and premature aging. 

Everyone should use broad-spectrum SPF daily to avoid photoaging. 

People with fair skin should use higher SPF (50+) and protective clothing, while those with olive to dark skin should focus on broad-spectrum protection. 

How much sun should I get for vitamin D?

For most people, 10 to 30 minutes of direct sun exposure to the face, arms, or legs twice a week is sufficient to maintain healthy vitamin D levels. 

Can I have a tan? Some alternatives. 

To get a natural, sunless tan, use topical self-tanners (mousses, sprays, lotions) containing DHA, which darkens skin safely over several hours. For a more "inner-out" approach, consume foods high in beta-carotene (carrots and sweet potatoes) and dark-colored berries.

See you in the shade!

Lori Vance

Body Image Fitness, LLC

503-351-6476