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The Easiest Way to Fight the Signs of Aging
(ARA) - The sunscreen confusion continues in the United States. For more than
two years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has been promising a revised
monograph for sunscreens. A recent announcement disclosed that the final
portions of the sunscreen Final Monograph will not be released until later this
year.
Exposure to UV light causes wrinkles, hyper pigmentation and saggy skin. Most
importantly, exposure to UV rays has been linked to skin cancer. UVA (sometimes
referred to as "long wave radiation") carries less energy than UVB
rays but penetrates more deeply into the skin and underlying tissues. Intense,
prolonged exposure to UVA can damage underlying structures in the dermis and
cause premature aging of the skin. In fact, close to 90 percent of the visual
characteristics associated with aging: fine lines, wrinkles, loss of elasticity
and hyper pigmented spots, now appear to be greatly increased by sun exposure to
UVA.
Sunscreen is still the single most-effective skin care product on the market.
Skin should always be protected by an SPF of at least 15 to protect against
damage. Some of the most comprehensive sunscreens available are from DDF
(Doctor's Dermatologic Formula). DDF sunscreens block between 75 and 85 percent
of UVA rays using a combination of avobenzone, zinc and titanium dioxide. (Avobenzone
or PARSOL 1789 is the current industry favorite for UVA protection but has been
shown to degrade very quickly in the sun. DDF combines it with other ingredients
for uncompromising protection).
"The best anti-aging product on the market is sunscreen," says Dr.
Howard Sobel, a top New York dermatologist and DDF founder. "No new
discovery or 'magic ingredient' will ever be more effective at preventing
wrinkles and age spots than a sunscreen of SPF 15 or greater."
Dr. Sobel has the following advice on selecting the right sunscreen for your
skin:
* Look for formulations that contain micronized particulates of effective
ingredients (usually zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) since they provide the
most uniform coverage. Micronization allows the particles to get close together,
preventing gaps in protection that could cause spotty sun damage. The smaller
the particles, the more even the sun shield on the skin.
* The easiest way to remember to wear sunscreen on a daily basis? Pick a
multi-purpose product that contains protection. Many moisturizers are now
available with SPF to make the morning routine that much easier. And, if you
like your daily-use product, you are more likely to remember to put it on every
day.
* If you don't like the way sunscreen feels on the skin or are concerned that
sunscreen will cause your skin to break out, look for oil-free or gel products
developed for oily skin. Sensitive skin would do best with a product that acts
as a physical barrier meaning that the ingredients are not absorbed into the
skin reducing the potential for irritation.
* Select a sunscreen that offers more than just sun protection. For example, DDF
sunscreens contain the proprietary DDF Redox Antioxidant Complex, eleven
antioxidants that nourish skin, repair past damage, reduce inflammation and
prevent future free radical damage. Expect the best from your skin care products
and look for those that "multi-task."
Courtesy of ARA Content