According to research, using sunscreen daily has an anti-aging effect. Sunscreen is usually used for special outdoor occasions such as going to the beach or attending a picnic. Sunscreen protects against sunburn and skin cancer and helps reduce the signs of aging on the skin.
According to one groundbreaking relation between sunscreen and anti-aging study, those who use broad-spectrum sunscreen regularly had 24 percent less skin aging than those who occasionally use sunscreen. The study, published in the renowned Annals of Internal Medicine, followed over 900 patients over four years. It found that even individuals in their 40s and 50s who began using sunscreen regularly showed reduced signs of skin aging.
In this article, we are going to discuss the relationship between sunscreen and anti-aging:
How Does The Sun Age Your Skin?
When we are exposed to sunlight without protection, our skin is exposed to both UVA and UVB radiation. UVB radiation damages and destroys cells in the skin’s outer layers. This stimulates cell formation, leading to the thickening of the epidermis over time. People blamed UVB for most skin cancers. But studies showed that UVA is also to blame for its fair share of damage —, particularly deep skin damage. In fact, the WHO advises us to be extremely careful about UVA when it comes to premature aging.
UVA penetrates deeper into our skin’s layers, activating receptors that cause future skin elasticity loss. Unfortunately, UVA radiation can pass through glass and clouds and reach our skin all year. As a result, regardless of the weather, using sunscreen and wearing sun-protective clothing regularly is a smart idea. This is also why we should search for a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB sun rays.
The Link Between Sunscreen and Anti-Aging
The link between sunscreen and anti-aging is very close. This is because sun damage is at the top of the list of reasons for premature aging. Both UVA and UVB ultraviolet radiation reaches the Earth’s surface and contributes to premature aging. UVA light penetrates deeply into the skin. It damages the collagen and elastin fibers that give our skin elasticity, firmness, and suppleness. Collagen and elastin are two proteins found naturally in the skin. But, as we age, collagen depletes. Sun damage can speed up the process. This results in early signs of aging, such as skin laxity and fine lines and wrinkles.
UVA sun exposure produces wrinkles, skin thinning, and other symptoms of premature aging by causing direct damage to the skin. UVA also causes free radicals, which are unstable atoms that harm healthy cells. While several anti-aging treatments on the market claim to turn back the clock, UVA sun damage is permanent. As a result, preventing sun damage should be your top priority when creating an anti-aging skincare routine.
Finally, UVA is present all year and may penetrate through thick glass and heavy clouds. This means that we are more vulnerable to sun damage than we realize. And we may not even be aware of it because UVA does not cause a visible sunburn.
The Sun Takes A Toll On The Skin’s Appearance
There is a clear link between sun exposure and wrinkles. Sun damage, according to dermatologists, is cumulative. Every day you don’t protect your skin is another day of sun damage that increases your risk of developing skin cancer and prematurely aging your skin. It is important to build sun protection into your anti-aging skincare routine as soon as possible.
In fact, UV exposure is responsible for up to 90% of premature skin aging. Because in the summer, the sun is unusually harsh. Australian women seem to age up to 20 years faster than women in the United States.
The Sunscreen Protects Against The Ageing Process
Considering the harmful nature of UVA and UVB radiation, sun protection should be your first line of protection in the fight against aging.
- Avoid the sun whenever possible
- Wear protective clothes
- Keep in the shade
- Applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with very high UVA/UVB protection, such as SPF50+
The term “broad-spectrum” refers to a sunscreen’s capacity to protect against both UVA and UVB radiation. This is important for decreasing the development of early aging signs. These include hyperpigmentation, age spots, and wrinkles, as well as lowering your risk of skin cancer.
You Can Add Sunscreen To Your Day to Daycare Routine
You should use sunscreen as an anti-aging product as part of your daily skincare routine. However, you must use it correctly to be effective. According to experts, you should apply one teaspoon of sunscreen to the face and neck, one teaspoon to each arm, one teaspoon to the front and rear of the body, and one teaspoon to each leg.
Remember that you should apply sunscreen everywhere your skin is exposed to the sun, not only on your face.
It’s also important to remember to reapply sunscreen every two hours if you’re spending a lot of time outside, especially in the water.
As sunscreen produces a protective layer over the skin, you should apply it after you’ve used all of your other skincare products (but before any makeup you wish to wear). You should also apply sunscreen for at least 15 to 20 minutes before going outside.
Choose The Best Sunscreen for Anti-aging
People should use sun protection that the Therapeutic Goods Administration has authorized. A ‘primary sunscreen’ is a product that is used to protect the skin from UV radiation. It is different from secondary sunscreens, which include makeup and other cosmetics that contain some SPF. You should apply primary sunscreen regularly for adequate sun protection.
It is also important to ensure that your sunscreen has a suitable SPF, ideally a very high SPF, such as SPF50+. It should also be labeled broad-spectrum. This protects against UVA and UVB radiation properly.
Choose a sunscreen with a lightweight, cosmetically pleasing formula that you will like applying regularly. It will be far more difficult to create this important daily habit if your sunscreen is unpleasant to use.
If your skin is especially sensitive, choose a sunscreen that is designed for sensitive skin and is fragrance-free or contains a hypoallergenic scent.
The Bottom Line
Now we can realize the relationship between sunscreen and anti-aging. So keep the symptoms of aging at bay by using a broad-spectrum sunscreen to your neck and face and try to cover your entire body. Apply at least 20 minutes before going outside to avoid sunburn.
Wearing sunscreen is only one component of UV protection. Also, seek shade and wear protective clothing. You should avoid excessive sun exposure. Reapply every 2 hours and after swimming, toweling, and sweating as directed.
