EFFECTS OF THE SUN ON THE SKIN
Hello everyone, hope you’re all having a terrific Thursday. Today I’ll be talking about the effects of the sun on the skin. I believe this is not too farfetched as this is a major area of concern for a lot of people.
I’ll need you to stop what you’re doing at the moment and take a long hard stare at the mirror. What do you see staring back at you? Uneven skin tone? Hyperpigmented patches? All of these as you may already know are all effects of sun exposure. The face is the most exposed area of the skin and this accounts for why we usually have lighter skin tones on other parts of the body.
Sun exposure is the major cause of damage to the skin; the more you expose yourself, the more damage you get. The effects however differ depending on the amount of exposure, age, skin type etc. The ultraviolet rays from the sun damages the DNA in the skin which may become irreversible as we age. The skin cells can then begin to mutate and grow in abnormal ways.
Some of the cosmetic changes that can occur include:
• Fine lines and wrinkles: Prolonged sun exposure leads to thickening of the inner layers of the skin leading to reduced ability to retain moisture.
• Hyperpigmentation: This occurs as a result of increased production of the pigment melanin which is actually a protective mechanism to protect us from the adverse effects of the sun.
• Textural changes: Sun damage to the skin can also make us lose that lovely, supple texture of our skin. The outer layer becomes thinner making it more susceptible to blisters, cuts etc
• Skin cancer: Increased exposure of unprotected skin to ultraviolet rays can lead to structural changes in the skin cells. Excessive exposure can lead to permanent damage. It is important to note that even dark-skinned people can have skin cancer!
Here are a few tips to help us protect ourselves from the damaging effects of the sun:
• Stay indoors: This is obviously the most logical way of avoiding the sun however; a more practical way is to limit outdoor exposure when the sun is at its peak. So, try to schedule outdoor activities before 10am and after 4pm. This remains the most desirable form of sun protection.
• Sunscreen: At the expense of sounding like a broken record, this can not be over emphasized. Use a sunscreen with sun protection factor of 30 and above daily. Apply 15-30 minutes prior to sun exposure to allow sufficient time for a protective film to develop. Reapply after prolonged swimming or continuous sun exposure.
• Protective clothing/accessories: If you know you’ll be out in the sun, yank out that wide brim hat from your closet (asides from protecting your face and neck, you’ll look like a fashionable diva!). Sun glasses are also important as they protect the ocular tissue from the acute and chronic adverse effects of ultraviolet rays.
Here are some tested and trusted sunscreens by image skincare
SUMMARY: Be proactive in protecting your skin from the sun!
Got any questions about this article or any other skincare concerns? Kindly send a mail to lolaowolabi@laserdermclinicsng.com. I’ll love to hear from you. Xx
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