What's one of the most crucial steps you can take to keep your skin looking healthy and young? We've all seen the commercials for skincare products and heard the spiels from dermatologists advising us to prevent premature aging and skin cancer by using sunscreen. But we almost never hear what makes the damage last a lifetime, even after our sunburns and tans go away.
Sunlight contains 3 types of UV radiation: UVA, UVB, and UVC. Though we are mostly protected from UVC rays by the earth's ozone layer and atmosphere, UVA and UVB reach the earth's surface and are absorbed by the skin, causing the formation of reactive molecules (reactive oxygen species) and DNA damage. Reactive oxygen species can attack DNA and cellular components such as proteins. Though cells try to repair their DNA, they don't always do a proper job, and this causes gene mutations. As these errors accumulate (e.g. with more sun exposures), they can lead to premature aging and cancer.
In the short term, the body responds to this sunlight-induced skin damage in two ways. Sunburn is the result of an inflammatory reaction in the skin. Tanning and freckling results when special cells called melanocytes produce melanin to shield the skin, specifically the nucleus in the skin cells, and the collagen and elastin which are important structural components. Both burning and tanning are responses to DNA damage in skin cells!
While sunburns heal and tans may fade, the long-term effects of repeated sun damage are an increased risk of developing skin cancer (due to accumulating mutations) and photoaging, which is premature aging caused by UV light. The signs of photoaging include wrinkles, loss of elasticity and sagging, uneven skin pigmentation, age spots, and hardening (leathery skin). A fascinating case of photoaging (see the picture of the man to the right) was published in the New England Journal of Medicine--he was a truck driver for 28 years, and the left side of his face received a lot of exposure to the sun through the driver's side window. It's quite a dramatic difference when you compare the left and right sides of his face! Sun damage may also suppress the immune system.
No matter how light or dark your skin is, you can take steps to protect your DNA and prevent photoaging and skin cancer risk:
- Educate yourself on the proper use of sunscreen/sunblock, and use it regularly! (Don't forget the back of your neck, your chest, and the part in your hair--these are commonly neglected areas!)
- Stay out of the sun when possible, especially during peak hours, and don't lay out in the sun. Sorry, sun junkies! ;)
- Wear a hat with a brim or visor, or wear a hooded jacket with a visor hood that you can pull up when you get into direct sunlight. Make sure it protects your scalp (especially your part) from the sun as well.
- Wear sun-protective clothing.
- Don't use tanning beds--contrary to popular, money- and fashion-driven myths, the lamps in them produce UV radiation that does damage your skin! UV rays are UV rays, whether they are emitted by the sun or by lamps.
- Use a sun-blocking umbrella or parasol. These are popular in Japan and are super cute!
- Remember to protect your skin even on cloudy days and in the shade--scattered/diffused UV radiation still penetrates skin.
- Eat antioxidant-rich foods, such as dark and leafy green veggies, to combat oxidative damage.
- Respect your genetic heritage, rather than conforming to fashion. If your skin isn't a tan color, don't worry about trying to make it that color--just be yourself. A few years of tanning or burning to attempt to be in style will produce lasting damage that isn't worth the cost of your future beauty!
Do you have any favorite tips for protecting your skin? Any comments or questions are also welcome in the comments section below!
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Coming up next in the Skin Protection Series: How to Get Enough Vitamin D Without Sacrificing Your Skin
