There are many known causes of skin aging, but “photoaging known as Sun damage” is the number one cause of premature aging. Ultraviolet (UV) rays in sunlight, which is the most important source of heat and light of our world, are the most important enemy of skin cells. Sun rays cause serious damage to the skin cell wall, especially its DNA.
If the damage caused by the sun’s rays in the DNA structure of the epidermis and dermis layer cannot be fully repaired, the structure of these layers deteriorates over time. However, it is known that the chemical substances secreted during the burn process damage the dermis layer, especially the collagen and elastin fibers, which prevents wrinkling of the skin. Skin damaged directly from UV rays and unable to produce elastin dries and hardens. Capillaries and wrinkles appear on the hard skin. In some people, the epidermis becomes thinner and tender. In addition, the cells that allow you to tan become inactive over time and brown spots appear on your skin. In more advanced cases, the skin turns yellow over time.
Exposure to uncontrolled, prolonged, intense and unprotected sun is the most significant cause of aging of the skin, but the damage caused by sun rays is not only about aging the skin. So much so that if these damages are not noticed, they can lead to lesions called solar keratosis and even skin cancer.
It should be noted that sun damage does not occur overnight. Repeated exposure to UVA rays will penetrate the skin deeply, causing collagen breaks and preventing healthy elastin production in the tissue.
The easiest and simplest solution to protect yourself from the early aging effects of the sun is to use products with sun protection factor regularly regardless of the weather conditions and the season. Until recently, sunscreens with SPF 30 were thought to be sufficient to protect against the harmful effects of the sun. However, research has shown that in order to protect our skin from such adverse effects, it is necessary to use products with a “counter photoaging effect” SPF 50 and above. Protection from sun rays, not sunbathing at risky hours, using protective clothing, accessories (sunglasses, hats, sun umbrellas …) and protecting the visible parts of the skin with high protection factor products at every hour of daylight are integral parts of the fight against sun-related problems.