Friday, January 14, 2011

How can I protect my skin from photo aging?

There are a variety of clothing and chemicals that one can use to protect against sunlight. There are UV reflective garments that can protect you from sun. There are also a variety of umbrellas and tents, which also reflect sunlight and prevent absorption of UV rays.
Research has shown that the effects of UV radiation on your skin are directly related to the intensity and duration. The greater the exposure, the more severe the skin changes. However even though the greatest intensity of UV rays is from 10 am to 4 pm, many people love the sun and others have no way of avoiding it. For those who cannot avoid the sun, use sun protective chemicals. Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher if you think you will be exposed to the sun for more than 20 minutes. What most consumers do not know is that even on cloudy days, the majority of sun’s UV rays reach the earth. Just because it is cloudy does not mean you do not have to wear a sunscreen.

Can you please tell me what exactly is photo-aging?

Everyone wants to look young but regrettably there is no phenomenonal pill or lotion which can do that. However, one of the best ways to look young is to guard against photo aging. Photo aging is a medical term that illustrates the condition of skin that is caused by extended exposure to sunlight. While looking bronzed may look great in your 20s, it will also make you a lot older by the time you are in your 30s and 40s.
Photo aged skin is not hard to recognize- the individual will have premature fine lines, wrinkles, skin discolorations and rough texture.  It is imperative to steer clear of excess sun because once photo aged skin develops, the changes are not possible to reverse. No matter what your cosmetic physician says, all treatments for photo-aged skin are temporary and usually only mask the lines and wrinkles