Protecting yourself from the sun is an everyday necessity. Just a few minutes of exposure each day can become detrimental to your skin. Sun damage is known to cause signs of aging such as wrinkles, spider veins, age spots, and blotchy complexion. What are the damaging effects of the sun and how can you prevent them in order to have healthy younger looking skin?

What is Involved in Sun Damage?

The dermatological term for the effects of aging due to the sun is "photoaging". "Photoaging" becomes apparent after the skin is no longer capable of repairing itself and the effects of sun damage mount up. Studies have found that UV rays can break down our collagen proteins. Sun exposure is also detrimental to the skin's elastin. UV radiation is one of the chief producers of free radicals. Free radicals are a factor in wrinkling, collagen break down, and the transformation of genetic material that is a precursor to cancer. Sun exposure is also known to damage the enzymes responsible for repairing skin cells. Therefore, sun damaged skin is less resilient and becomes loose, wrinkled, and leathery without the means to rebuild and restore itself to its prior state.

How Does the Sun Create Wrinkles?

One of the most common effects of UV radiation is wrinkles. These become visible on the areas of your body that are most commonly exposed to the sun. The breakdown of collagen and creation of free radicals causes the appearance of both fine surface wrinkles as well as deep furrows. The protein that connects your skin tissues to make it firm and smooth are collagen proteins. Collagen deficiency can leave skin saggy and wrinkled. Unfortunately, collagen can not restore itself after it is damaged. Facial wrinkles are created in this manner up to 80 percent of the time.

What Does the Sun Do to Cause a Blotchy Complexion?

Age spots are another result of sun damage. A melanin pigment in our skin helps to absorb sunlight and protect us from UV rays. Yet, after some time, we lose our ability to deflect UV light and we start to see the appearance of age spots. This discoloration is the outcome of the sun's harm to our melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin. As time goes by, sun exposure causes more pigment than normal to be deposited in the skin. This leaves your skin with flat, brown skin discolorations known as age spots.

How do You Protect Yourself From the Sun?

It is important to avoid tanning and avoid the sun between the hours of 10am and 4pm when its rays are the strongest. Invest in some good sunscreen that has a high SPF, "sun protection factor", which measures how long you can be in the sun before you burn. It is very important to apply sunscreen everyday. If planning a day outdoors, put on a good amount of sunscreen and reapply it every two hours. Sunglasses and hats prevent exposure of the most vulnerable areas such as the ears, face, nose, neck, scalp, and eyes. Also think about what to wear. Loose fitting clothes of light colors and thickly woven materials are the most effective against UV exposure. Be sure to protect yourself in any way you can to avoid these ugly effects of sun damage, and if are already bothered by visible signs of aging, look for a natural skin care option that can effectively reverse these results.