What does the sun have to do with skin aging? Pretty much
everything. Sunlight contains harmful rays that penetrate into the skin and
damages cells and tissue building materials like collagen. So, when you go out,
defend yourself against ultraviolet rays of the sun by using good sunscreens.
Sunlight and Skin Damage
Sunlight is composed of many rays, some of which are visible,
but others are invisible to human eyes. Ultraviolet rays are invisible rays
that reach the earth and affect your skin. UV rays can penetrate glass and harm
your skin, even when you are inside.
There are two main kinds of UV rays that affect your skin.
One is the long wavelength UVA rays, and the other is the shorter wavelength
UVB rays. Most sunscreens are designed to provide optimal protection against
UVB rays as they cause sunburn and have also been directly linked with skin
cancer.
UVB rays can vary in intensity according to season or
location of the place. UVA rays on the other hand are always present at a
uniform intensity and they can go deeper into the skin because of their longer
wavelength.
They damage skin cells and also destroy collagen, a
structural protein that builds tissues and lends volume and suppleness to the
skin. All these results in skin aging.
This kind of damage causes the skin to lose its firmness and
elasticity and the skin gets wrinkled and starts sagging. Cell damage also
causes skin discoloration and age spots.
Summer Skin Care - How Sunscreens Protect You from UV Rays
Sunscreens can either be classical, chemical-based
formulations, or they can be physical (mineral-based). Chemical sunscreens
absorb UV rays and dissipate them before they can penetrate and damage your
skin. Mineral sunscreens that use Titanium Dioxide or Zinc Oxide reflect and
bounce off the UV rays from the surface of your skin.
SPF Rating
Sunscreens come with an SPF
rating. Sun Protection Factor (SPF) indicates the level of defence against UVB
rays the sunscreen offers. SPF 15 indicates that the sunscreen shields you
against 93% of UVB rays that reach you. SPF 30 sunscreens defend you against
97% of UVB rays, while SPF 50 protects you against 98% UV rays.
When you buy a sun protection cream, make sure that it is
labeled Broad Spectrum, which means it is also formulated to provide protection
against UVA rays. If you are going to be out in the hot weather for long, buy
SPF 30 and above sunscreens, and sunscreens that are sweatproof. Apply your
sunscreen every two hours to ensure maximum protection. Choose the sunscreen
formulation based on your skin type. Creamy sunscreens are good for dry skins,
while gel-based lightweight formulations are better sunscreens for oily skin.
Does Sunscreen Really Prevent Skin Aging?
A study that lasted for four and a half years in Australia
used four groups in a research to determine the efficacy of sunscreens. The
four groups in total consisted of 903 adults.
- One group
was given specific instruction on when and where to apply sunscreen, and
to repeat it after a bath or after heavy sweating
- The second
group could apply the sunscreen whenever they wished
- The third
group were given beta-carotene supplements
- The fourth
group were given placebos
At the end of the study, the first group showed significantly
less signs of aging than even the group that were given sunscreens, but not
specific instructions on how and when to use them.
Kaya Youth Protect Sunscreen SPF 50
This is a broad-spectrum sunscreen, SPF 50 for maximum
protection against sun induced skin damage. As with all other products from
Kaya, this sunscreen is researched and developed by expert dermatologists. The
formulation is suitable for all skin types - Oily, Combination, Dry, and
Normal.
The non-greasy formulation protects you against both UVA and
UVB rays. It has been designed to offer the best protection against UVA rays
that cause premature aging of the skin. It is free of Para-aminobenzoic acid or
PABA. This chemical can sometimes cause irritation in sensitive skin types. So,
you can use it without fear of harsh ingredients that can harm your skin.
Kaya Youth Protect Sunscreen SPF 50 also contains Geranium,
which is rich in antioxidants. This prevents damages caused by free radicals
and keeps your skin young and supple. This sunscreen has a PA+++ rating and an
Ultra Bootstar Rating of 5. Both indicate that the sun protection cream is
highly effective in shielding you against UVA rays.
To ensure maximum protection against photoaging or aging
caused by exposure to sunlight, choose a sunscreen that shields you against
both UVA rays and UVB rays, and also contains antioxidant ingredients that
prevent environmental damage. Buy the best sunscreen for face as this is the
part of your body that gets exposed to sunlight the most.