The Sun and Aging Skin

You’ve probably heard that the sun and aging skin don’t mix. Well, the truth is that the aging process caused by the sun starts early on – even as early as your 20’s so protecting your skin when it comes to exposure to the sun isn’t something you can put off thinking about until you get older!

There are hundreds of activities under the sun which are really enjoyable to do. These include playing sports like basketball, beach volleyball, swimming, and baseball; strolling and exercising in the park; walking the dog; going on a picnic and; hiking. Indeed, exposure to the sun is unavoidable. What you can avoid, though, is getting a lot of skin problems due to excessive exposure to the sun.

Some of the more common skin problems caused by too much exposure to the sun are skin cancer, brown sun spots and melanoma, which can be fatal. Another thing that we should remember is that the sun and aging skin work hand in hand.

The sun causes the skin to age due to several factors. First, being out in the sun means that you can also be exposed to UV radiation. Your collagen, which provides your skin elasticity, can be broken down by UV radiation. Another factor why the sun brings about skin aging is it reduces the moisture that your body has, making your skin dry and look lifeless.

If you do not want these problems and you also do not want to stay away from the sun, you have to apply for protection. You can wear a cap or clothes that do not absorb heat. The best option, however, is for you to apply sunscreen before getting exposed to the sun. Make sure that your sunscreen has enough and appropriate sun protection factor and it will also protect you from both UV-A and UV-B radiation.

When it comes to the sun and aging skin, you can’t be too cautious! An ounce of prevention today will prevent a pound of wrinkles in the years to come.