This is the season when ultraviolet rays become more intense. Did you know that ultraviolet rays are a major cause of facial aging signs, such as wrinkles and blemishes, rather than aging itself? While the skin on the inner arms and inner thighs, which are not directly exposed to the sun, is white and clean, the face shows many signs of aging. This phenomenon, called photoaging, is a deterioration of the skin caused by ultraviolet rays. UV rays not only burn the surface of the skin, but also reach the dermis, tearing collagen and elastin fibers into shreds, and this causes the skin to lose its firmness and become wrinkled and saggy. It also generates melanin pigments, and when the skin's regeneration is slowed down, the melanin is deposited in the epidermis and becomes a stain. To prevent these spots and wrinkles, it is important to take adequate measures against ultraviolet rays.
Ultraviolet rays are particularly strong from early spring through summer and autumn, but even on winter and cloudy days, about 70% of the sun's rays fall on the skin. Snow burns on the ski slopes are caused by ultraviolet rays bouncing off the snow. The UV-A and UV-B waves cause sunburn and, in severe cases, blisters, but the skin returns to normal over time. This is due to the brownish layer that covers the surface of the skin and prevents the UV rays from penetrating deep into the skin. However, UV-A waves are more troublesome than UV-B waves. They penetrate clouds and windows and penetrate deep into the skin, damaging the dermis. UV-A damages the elastin and collagen fibers in the dermis, which maintain the elasticity and firmness of the skin, and causes a loss of skin elasticity. This is what causes the skin to sag and wrinkles to form. Moreover, this phenomenon cannot be completely reversed. Therefore, it is essential to carefully look after the UV rays to avoid accidental sunburns and to maintain a youthful appearance. Especially in the case of sensitive skin or rosacea, exposure to ultraviolet rays can worsen the condition of the skin, so protective measures are essential.
So, how to prevent the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays ?
First of all, it is important to avoid direct exposure to the sun's rays by using an umbrella, a wide-brimmed hat or a mask. Even so, it is impossible to avoid reflected and scattered light from road surfaces. Sunscreen and anti-UV cosmetics are necessary. There are two types of UV protection ingredients: UV absorbers and UV reflectors. Ultraviolet absorbers absorb UV rays into the skin and chemically convert them into heat or other substances, which are then released. Ultraviolet reflectors or diffusers physically repel UV rays from the skin's surface. There are two types of UV protection values: PA and SPF, with PA values ranging from + to ++++. SPF values indicate the ability to protect against UV-B waves.
Have you ever felt a burning sensation on your skin when applying sunscreen ? It's wise to avoid anything that irritates the skin. The chemical ingredient that causes the stinging is usually a UV absorber. UV absorbers absorb UV rays into the skin, chemically alter them, then release them as heat, etc. SPF values can reach 50, but the load on the skin is greater. Ingredient names include t-ptyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, ethyl methoxysilicate and oxybenzone-3. UV diffusers, on the other hand, reflect UV rays off the skin's surface to prevent them from penetrating the skin. They are less aggressive to the skin, but have a slightly lower SPF value. However, they have the particularity to repel the UV-A and UV-B waves to the same degree. As for the name of the ingredients, natural mineral powders such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are used. The disadvantage is that the white color of the skin will appear, but this can be improved with rutile-type titanium dioxide, and it is said to be less likely to cause metal allergies. Although nano-crosslinking eliminates the white cast, the risk of titanium dioxide passing through cells and entering the body has been pointed out, so you should be careful. The marimo processed titanium dioxide reflects light diffusely to avoid white cast and make skin irregularities less visible for a beautiful appearance.
It is easy to assume that the higher the SPF value, the greater the effectiveness, but this is not necessarily the case. SPF values are parabolic, and SPF 50 is not twice as effective as SPF 25. Each unit in the SPF value means 20 minutes before UV rays reach the skin and cause a sunburn. For example, SPF 20 is 20 minutes x 20, which means it takes 400 minutes (6.5 hours) for the tan to start. Considering that the sunscreen will be washed off by perspiration, reapplication during the tanning process is sufficient. A product with too high SPF can end up being too harsh on the skin. So it's a good idea to opt for a UV-diffusing sunscreen with an SPF value of 20 to 25. Plus, you only need one sunscreen, and there's no need to add layers of this or that UV-compatible cosmetic item.
But how to react if we forgot these preventive measures ?
If exposed to UV rays, the first step is to cool the skin with a cold towel or a cooling product and then moisturize it with a lotion. This procedure is the same as for burns. It is highly recommended to choose a lotion such as rose hip lotion, which contains a lot of vitamin C, with antioxidant properties. It is also recommended to regularly consume fruits and vegetables containing vitamins A, C and E to prevent skin damage. It has been shown that when vitamin C is added to sunscreen or applied directly to the skin there is a reduction in sunburn and therefore a reduction in the aging effect of the skin. It is also important to take precautions against ultraviolet rays before going out.