The Relationship Between The Sun And Wrinkles

Many may not be aware, but the sun and wrinkles are closely related with each other and reading further will help you piece together the relationship between the sun and wrinkles.

It is a fact that exposure to ultraviolet light, whether UVA or UVB, that is derived from sunlight, accounts for 90% of the symptoms of premature skin aging.

Since most of the photoaging effects occur by the age of 20, the amount of damage to the skin caused by the sun is determined by the total lifetime amount of radiation exposure and the pigment protection.

Among the changes in the epidermis caused by continued exposure to the sun include, many harmful, thinning of the epidermis and the growth of skin lesions such as actinic keratoses, squamous cell carcinomas and basal cell carcinomas,
Prolonged exposure to the sun cause collagen in the dermis to break down at a higher rate than just chronologic aging.

Collagen fibers get damaged by sunlight and causes the accumulation of abnormal elastin and when this sun-induced elastin accumulates, enzymes called metalloproteinases are produced in large quantities.

Under normal conditions, these enzymes are responsible for fixing sun-injured skin by manufacturing and reforming collagen.

However, this process does not always work well and some of the enzymes actually break down collagen, resulting to the formation of disorganized collagen fibers known as solar scars.

And when the skin repeats this flawed rebuilding process, wrinkles develop.
As the sun continues to be the principal suspect in causing wrinkles, the most important skin-care product available to prevent wrinkles is sunscreen, but most people do not use sunscreen correctly.

It would be best to consider the important factors with sunscreen use, especially with the spectrum of UV radiation absorbed, the amount of sunscreen applied, and the frequency of application.

As mentioned earlier, the sun gives off ultraviolet (UV) rays that can be divided into categories based on the wavelength.

UVC radiation is absorbed by the atmosphere and does not cause skin damage, while UVB radiation affects the outer layer of skin, the epidermis, and is the primary agent responsible for sunburns.

UVB does not penetrate glass and the intensity of UVB radiation depends on the time of day and season.

UVA radiation, on the other hand, penetrates deep into the skin and works more efficiently and cannot also be filtered by glass, but overexposure to UVA can also be dangerous.

The intensity of UVA radiation is more constant than UVB without the variations during the day and throughout the year.

Regardless of their wavelengths, both UVA and UVB radiation can cause wrinkles as it breaks down collagen, creating free radicals, and inhibiting natural repair mechanisms of the skin.

A classification system of sun-sensitivity is the Skin Phototype (SPT) classification, which is being used to determine the potency and spectrum of protection that sunscreen formulations help protect from these radiation, as well as inhibit, if not minimize, wrinkles.

Especially people with skin types I and II are at the highest risk for photoaging effects including wrinkles and skin cancer, thus the proper use of sunscreen to block both UVA and UVB radiation is an important in the battle against wrinkles.

Using Ballymoon’s Day Crème’ with NATURAL SUNBLOCK, which blocks both the UVA and UVB radiation and is one answer to great skin protection.

I have been using Ballymoon’s facial line since I discovered them at Spruce Meadows in December 2004. The Anti-Wrinkle Serum is amazing! It tightens the skin and minimizes the appearance of wrinkles. The Day and Night Moisturizers absorb quickly into the skin and leaves my skin feeling incredibly soft, definitely not greasy. I’ve received many compliments about my complexion since I began using Ballymoon’s skin care line. One of the things I especially enjoy about all the Ballymoon products are the amazing scents. They are fragrant but light, not overpowering. Besides the way my skin looks and feels I’ve probably kept a regular skin care regime because I love the smell of the Cleanser, Toner, Anti-wrinkle Serum and the Moisturizers. I also use the Body Butter which is an absolutely amazing product. It really, really moisturizes my skin!!! Again the scent is very nice and the “Winter In Kilkenny” scent is unisex so that my husband likes to use it as well.
Truly wonderful products! I am glad that Ballymoon is branching out to other venues so it will be easier to refill when I run out. I forgot to mention that although the products may seem expensive you only need a small amount of product to achieve amazing results, so the products last a long time.

- Amber Leeson BSc, BEd - Senior High School Chemistry Teacher
As promised, the relationship between the sun and wrinkles has been established and the age-old adage still holds true that says, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.

To determine your skin type:

Take the Skin Cancer Foundation’s “Where Does Your Skin Fit In? Quiz” created by Dr. Thomas Fitzpatrick, MD, of Harvard Medical School.
http://www.skincancer.org/fitzpatrick-skin-quiz.html?gclid=COvAm-Six5wCFRIcawodm1huJQ.