Wear Sunscreen to Prevent Wrinkles

Do you know that if you wear sunscreen, it is perhaps the most important skin-care solution available to prevent wrinkles?

But most people do not use it correctly though, thereby exposing themselves to ultraviolet light, UVA or UVB, from sunlight, which accounts for 90% of the symptoms of premature skin aging including wrinkles.

Important factors to consider when you wear sunscreen are the spectrum of UV radiation absorbed, the amount to be applied, and the frequency of application.

UV Radiation
The sun gives off ultraviolet (UV) radiation that we divide into categories based on the wavelength.

UVC radiation is absorbed by the atmosphere and does not cause skin damage.

UVB radiation affects the outer layer of skin, the epidermis, and is the primary agent responsible for sunburns.

UVB does not penetrate glass, and the intensity of UVB radiation depends on the time of day and the season.

UVA radiation penetrates deeper into the skin and works more efficiently.

The intensity of UVA radiation is more constant than UVB without the variations during the day and throughout the year. UVA is also not filtered by glass.

UV Radiation and Wrinkles
Both UVA and UVB radiation cause wrinkles by breaking down collagen, creating free radicals, and inhibiting the natural repair mechanisms of the skin.

A popular classification system of sun-sensitivity is the Skin Phototype (SPT) classification.

People with skin types I and II are at the highest risk for photoaging effects including wrinkles and skin cancer.

Knowing how to wear sunscreen properly to block both UVA and UVB radiation is an important weapon in battle against wrinkles.

Know the Ingredients
This can be divided into compounds that physically block radiation or compounds that absorb radiation.

The radiation blockers are very effective at reducing the exposure of the skin to both UVA and UVB radiation.

Older formulations like zinc oxide are opaque and may be cosmetically unacceptable.

However, a newer formulation of micronized titanium dioxide is not as opaque and provides excellent protection.

The radiation absorbing ingredients are differentiated by the type of radiation they absorb - UVA absorbers and UVB absorbers.

Picking the Proper Sunscreen

The SPF measures the amount of UVB absorption, but there is no method of reporting the UVA absorption.

The only way to determine if a sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB radiation is to look at the ingredients.

A good broad-spectrum should have an SPF of at least 15 and contain avobenzone, titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide.

Proper Application When You Wear Sunscreen
Most people wear sunscreen improperly by not applying enough. They apply only 25% to 50% of the recommended amount.

It should be applied liberally enough to all sun-exposed areas that it forms a film when initially applied.

It takes 20-30 minutes for it to be absorbed by the skin, so it should be applied at least a half an hour before going out in the sun.

It should also be the last product applied especially on the face since some it can break down in the presence of water contained in water-based foundations and moisturizers.

Reapplying Sunscreen
Most instructions on product labels recommend reapplying "frequently", but the definition of "frequently" is vague.

A common instruction is to reapply after 2-4 hours in the sun.

However, one study has shown that reapplying 20 to 30 minutes after being in the sun is more effective than waiting 2 hours.

It is possible that this time period is more effective because most people do not apply enough initially, and this second application approximates the actual amount needed.

Reapplication should also be done after swimming, excessive sweating, or toweling.

Daily Application
Sunscreen should be applied daily. The daily use of one with low SPF(15) has been shown to be more effective in preventing skin damage than the intermittent use of a higher SPF one.

Sunscreen and Insect Repellents
Insect repellents reduce the SPF by up to one-third. When using both together, wear sunscreen with a higher SPF and reapply it more often.

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