What is anti-aging? Research has discovered that there are two types of aging.
The first type of aging is intrinsic, in other words, the normal and continuous process that begins in the mid- twenties.
This type of aging is influenced by the genes we inherit.
These genes control how rapidly aging will proceed.
The second type is called extrinsic aging.
It is measured by exposure to environmental factors such as sunlight.
Extrinsic factors interact with the normal aging process to prematurely age skin.
Excessive sun exposure is the number one factor in accelerating premature aging.
Aging causes the skin to become more delicate, to be thinner and also less able to heal itself.
Skin will also get drier and cell creation slows down.
Skin is also more sensitive to light, especially if certain medications are being taken.
With these conditions, the last thing mature skin needs is excessive sun exposure.
UV rays from the sun are the greatest threat to skin.
Ninety percent of the skin's aging is due to cumulative sun damage that has been accumulated through years of exposure to the sun's UV (ultraviolet) rays.
The damage is not immediately noticeable nor does a person know how much sun damage they have until much later in life, sometimes up to forty years.
The two main types of UV rays are UVA and UVB.
UVB rays are called the sunburn ray.
These rays target the top layer of skin and their strength is determined by the time of day and year.
UVB radiation is strong in the summer and will lessen in the winter.
UVA radiation, which penetrates the skin the deepest, is constant throughout the day and also all year long.
UVB causes sunburn and UVA is the culprit behind premature aging.
Both types can cause cancer.
People who are over the age of sixty grew up in a time when little was known about the dangers of UV rays and the consequences of excessive exposure.
Their skin has already been exposed to many years of UV radiation without the benefit of sun protection.
The result of this exposure is sagging skin, uneven skin tone, and unfortunately, skin cancer.
Practicing sun protection should be a daily activity and it should start with avoiding sun exposure between 10 am and 4 pm.
This is when the sun's UVB rays are the strongest.
If you have to be outside at this time, seek shade when possible.
Remember too, that sun exposure is amplified by the reflection of the sun's rays off surfaces like snow, ice, water and sand.
And, do not be fooled into thinking that clouds stop the penetration of UV rays.
Cloudy days stop only five to forty percent of UV radiation.
As awareness of excessive sun exposure has grown, so has the list of UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) items available to combat dangerous UV rays.
Besides hats, visors and sunscreen, companies are now carrying sun sleeves, sun gloves, sun hoods, face shields, nose guards and clothing.
These items are especially designed to offer sun protection.
Look for the UPF rating tag on items to see how much UV radiation is blocked.
And, if it doesn't have a UPF tag, chances are it is not sun protective.
If you want to look younger, cover up with sun protective clothing and accessories and use sunscreen.
A combination of these items will offer the best protection.
Because no one single product will offer one hundred percent protection from UV rays.
Remember it is never too late for sun protection.
Develop a year round regimen in order to protect your skin and to reduce the risk of developing skin cancer.
The first type of aging is intrinsic, in other words, the normal and continuous process that begins in the mid- twenties.
This type of aging is influenced by the genes we inherit.
These genes control how rapidly aging will proceed.
The second type is called extrinsic aging.
It is measured by exposure to environmental factors such as sunlight.
Extrinsic factors interact with the normal aging process to prematurely age skin.
Excessive sun exposure is the number one factor in accelerating premature aging.
Aging causes the skin to become more delicate, to be thinner and also less able to heal itself.
Skin will also get drier and cell creation slows down.
Skin is also more sensitive to light, especially if certain medications are being taken.
With these conditions, the last thing mature skin needs is excessive sun exposure.
UV rays from the sun are the greatest threat to skin.
Ninety percent of the skin's aging is due to cumulative sun damage that has been accumulated through years of exposure to the sun's UV (ultraviolet) rays.
The damage is not immediately noticeable nor does a person know how much sun damage they have until much later in life, sometimes up to forty years.
The two main types of UV rays are UVA and UVB.
UVB rays are called the sunburn ray.
These rays target the top layer of skin and their strength is determined by the time of day and year.
UVB radiation is strong in the summer and will lessen in the winter.
UVA radiation, which penetrates the skin the deepest, is constant throughout the day and also all year long.
UVB causes sunburn and UVA is the culprit behind premature aging.
Both types can cause cancer.
People who are over the age of sixty grew up in a time when little was known about the dangers of UV rays and the consequences of excessive exposure.
Their skin has already been exposed to many years of UV radiation without the benefit of sun protection.
The result of this exposure is sagging skin, uneven skin tone, and unfortunately, skin cancer.
Practicing sun protection should be a daily activity and it should start with avoiding sun exposure between 10 am and 4 pm.
This is when the sun's UVB rays are the strongest.
If you have to be outside at this time, seek shade when possible.
Remember too, that sun exposure is amplified by the reflection of the sun's rays off surfaces like snow, ice, water and sand.
And, do not be fooled into thinking that clouds stop the penetration of UV rays.
Cloudy days stop only five to forty percent of UV radiation.
As awareness of excessive sun exposure has grown, so has the list of UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) items available to combat dangerous UV rays.
Besides hats, visors and sunscreen, companies are now carrying sun sleeves, sun gloves, sun hoods, face shields, nose guards and clothing.
These items are especially designed to offer sun protection.
Look for the UPF rating tag on items to see how much UV radiation is blocked.
And, if it doesn't have a UPF tag, chances are it is not sun protective.
If you want to look younger, cover up with sun protective clothing and accessories and use sunscreen.
A combination of these items will offer the best protection.
Because no one single product will offer one hundred percent protection from UV rays.
Remember it is never too late for sun protection.
Develop a year round regimen in order to protect your skin and to reduce the risk of developing skin cancer.
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