Protect Your Skin this Summer from Sun

Everyone has been telling you not to go out in the sun but you only paid half of your attention because you had to focus on other important things in life. Right? If your answer to this is yes, then you are the person for whom I have written this down. Photo-aging is the term which is used to describe the photo damage of the skin occurring due to chronic exposure to the sun.

How can sunlight harm my skin?

If you thought sun light can only lead to tanning of your skin you are completely wrong. Sunlight leaves a profoundly damaging effect on your skin causing premature skin aging, skin cancer and many other skin changes.

The changes that your skin undergoes as a result of long exposure to sun are:

1. Decreased immunity of the skin

2. Pre-cancerous and cancerous skin lesions

3. Benign tumours

4. Fine and coarse wrinkles

5. Freckles

6. Mottled pigmentation or discoloured areas of the skin

7. Yellow discoloration of the skin

8. Dilation of small blood vessels under the skin

9. Destruction of elastic and collagen tissues of the skin which causes fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin.

How does the sun cause damage to the skin

Photodamage is not only limited to the skin but can damage DNA and form UV-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) which are the initial steps leading to a typical and chronic sunlight damage to the skin. The two effects that are directly associated with photodamage are wrinkling and pigmentary changes. These are clinical manifestations of premature aging.

The ultraviolet (UV) rays penetrate deep into the skin and damage the cells. This UV radiation is of three types;

Effect of UV rays on skin

1. UV C: UV C radiation does not affect the skin at all.

2. UV B: UV B radiation has the ability to affect the outer layer of the skin and is the main reason behind causing sunburns. The UV B rays are most intense in the summer months and between 10:00AM to 2:00 PM when the sun is at its brightest.

3. UV A: UV A radiation has been proven to be a major contributor to skin damage. It penetrates deep into the skin and leaves a more constant effect on the skin without any variations during the day or the year.

These UV radiations bring about their damaging effects by causing

1. Breakdown of collagen

2. Formation of free radicals which damage cell function and change the genetic makeup of the skin.

3. It can hamper the repair of the damaged DNA by adversely affecting the enzymes responsible for it.

4.Cell death which is a protective mechanism is inhibited by UV exposure.

Prevention of sun damage to skin

The prevention of photoaging consists of;

1. Sun avoidance

2. Sun protections by using sunscreens to block or reduce skin exposure to UV radiation.

3. Retinoid to prevent collagenase synthesis

4. Promote collagen production                      

5. Antioxidants to reduce and neutralize free radicals.

Nutritional supplements and antioxidants can delay skin aging through different means by neutralizing free radicals, reducing the peroxide concentrations and repairing oxidized membranes etc. Vitamin C and Vitamin E, carotenoids and trace elements such as copper and selenium are good sources of systemic antioxidants.

Treating sun damage naturally

The different treatments for sun damaged skin are;

Vitamin C: It is one of the most important vitamins for revitalizing the skin. It can help you in fighting the signs of aging by reducing the free radicals which can damage skin cells and collagen. It is also effective in reducing the pigments, prevents discolorations and regenerating over-exposed skin.

Antioxidants: These should form an essential part of our diet as well as skin care products. It helps in the prevention, treatment and even reversing the effects of sun damage on the skin. They provide nutrients to the skin and protect the degeneration of collagen and elastin tissues. The sources are fruits such as cherries, Vitamins C, E and Selenium.

Exfoliation: Exfoliation is the key to a brighter and fresher looking complexion. Gentle exfoliation helps you in getting rid of the damaged and roughened skin and in bringing t the fore a fresh and glowing skin. There are 3 types of exfoliation which you can go for depending on your skin type and the extent of damage to the skin.

1. Manual exfoliation: Use a gentle scrub or facial tool brush to exfoliate your skin.

2. Enzyme exfoliation: A mask or a gentle peel is used in this case. You can use fruits such as papaya or pineapple which can deliver the enzymes needed for exfoliation. These help in dissolving and eliminating the dead skin cells.

3. Chemical exfoliation: Chemicals such as hydroxyl acids and lactic acids (obtained from honey), salicylic acid (derived from willow bark) and mandelic acid (obtained from almonds) can be used in chemical exfoliation.

Herbs that heal: Various herbal remedies such as aloe, arnica, calendula, chamomile and thuja have been found to be effective in skin care. The use of lemon juice is also recommended in reducing the pigmentation of sun spots. Apply fresh lemon juice on affected areas 2-3 times a day, leave for 15 to 20 minutes and then rinse off with water.

Apple cider vinegar along with onion juice is also helpful in decreasing the intensity of sun spots. Mix the two in equal proportions and apply directly on the sun spots, leave for about half an hour and rinse off. Repeat 1-2 times in a day. Moisturize your skin with the help of Aloe Vera daily. The skin which is kept well-hydrated responds better to moisturization and other treatments.

Even though you will find all these treatments helpful, remember that prevention is always better than cure. So, shield yourself from sunlight these summers to continue glowing.