Everybody ages. Not everybody’s age shows.
You probably have friends who look 10 years younger than they really are. What’s the secret? Chances are they either have really good genes or really powerful sun protection, or both.
Skin ages in two ways
- Internal aging is a genetic process and can’t be prevented. It occurs when the two key structural components of skin, collagen and elastin, diminish over time, causing the skin to lose elasticity and firmness. As a result, sagging, dullness and wrinkles appear.
- External aging is caused by exposure to environmental factors such as pollution, cigarette smoke and the ultraviolet (UV) rays in sunlight.
UV radiation
- Composed of several different wavelengths including UVA1, UVA2 and UVB
- Breaks down collagen and elastin
- The single biggest contributing factor to premature aging
- UVA rays penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin
- UVB rays are responsible for surface sunburn
As we age, our total sun exposure increases, resulting not just in age spots, fine lines and wrinkles, but more serious problems, such as skin cancer.
The good news?
