The basics of How Tanning Works
Sunlight contributes more to the aging of the skin than any other factor, environmental or hereditary. UVA and UVB rays penetrate much like an x-ray and stimulate the manufacture of an enzyme called collagenase– this is how tanning works.
This enzyme destroys skin collagen which resides in the living layer of our skin. The living layer of your skin is the foundation of your face; as it is destroyed the elastin and collagen disappear and your face shows sags, bags, fine lines and wrinkles. Unfortunately, sunlight also interferes with the cell’s ability to reproduce in an identical, healthy manner. “Age Spots” are evidence of this fact!
These changes occur subtly, causing the skin to become thicker and less healthy and old looking. Advanced skin care products can reverse SOME of the sun damage, but without daily sun protection this process is null and void. Repairing sun damage without sun protection would be like applying a soothing ointment to a bruise and then hitting it with a hammer!
How Tanning Works to Damage Your Skin
Everyone needs sun protection and it’s never too late to start using it daily.
90 percent of the damage we see in aging skin is due to sun exposure, especially the non-burning (UVA) rays! Sun damage accumulates over the years and will show up eventually. Age spots, uneven pigmentation, large pores, loss of elasticity, fine lines and wrinkles, as well as precancerous cells (keratosis) and skin cancer are proof of how tanning works not only to make your skin darker, but also damage it. These are often mislabeled as symptoms of old age, not sun damage. Further damage can be diminished by using sun protection, coupled with the knowledge of how tanning works.
Research on How Tanning Works
Research suggests that regular use of sunscreens will help prevent photo aging and decrease the incidence of skin cancer. The sun emits two types of ultraviolet rays – UVA and UVB and BOTH cause skin damage. Most window glass blocks the UVB rays that cause sunburn, but lets in 70% of UVA rays, so when you are in your home or car, you are being bombarded by UVA rays even when it is cold and dreary outside – that’s when most people do not use sun protection, not knowing how tanning works! UVB rays cause damage also, but most people do use sun protection to avoid the risk of a sun burn as they often remember how painful it can be.
Sunlight does its dirty work by interfering with the genetic instruction contained in DNA, the code that tells your cells how to divide. Repeated exposure can cause damaged cells to multiply out of control. If your skin is lined and mottled or you look older than your years, you are photoaged!
A Basic Concept Skin Correction Clinic recommends a broad spectrum sun protection which uses both a reflective agent and a chemical agent. Titanium dioxide and micronized zinc oxide are reflective agents; ultra violet rays are bounced off of the skin when these agents are used. A common chemical agent is octyl methoxycinnamate which must be absorbed by the skin and applied 30 minutes before exposure. The ultra violet rays are absorbed by this chemical.
For skin that is healing, sun exposure should be avoided. However, if you cannot avoid exposure, we recommend using a reflective agent only, as a chemical agent may irritate or sensitize the wounded skin causing hyper pigmentation or allergic rashes.
Sunblock and Basic Skin Protection
In the skin care game, you cannot get enough sun protection. Lips and eyelids are especially susceptible to sun damage because these areas are hard to protect. We recommend Lip Emollient with Vitamins C and F with a SPF of 15. Jane Iredale eye shadows contain Titanium Dioxide for sun protection of the eyelids. When buying sunglasses, ask what kind of sun protection the lens offers you. Buy glasses that provide both types of UV protection. With UVA and UVB protection, you’ll protect the delicate skin around your eyes as well as your cornea, while the darkened lens will keep you from squinting and save you some wrinkles for a while.
As for our recommendation; use a broad Spectrum sun protection daily with a minimum Sun Protection Factor of 15 .
For more information on Skin Care, or to view some of our recommended Microdermabrasion Kits and to get an idea of Microdermabrasion Cost, feel free to visit some of our other pages! Thanks for reading about how tanning works!