N Skin Care Alert

PHOTOAGING: The Invisible Foe

Look at the images above. Can you spot the difference? As you will see, the pictures on the left side show clear faces, while those in the right appear to be speckled. How come?

Well, the images varied because on the one side, pictures were taken using ordinary imaging lens, whereas on the other side, photos were taken by an ultraviolet (UV) camera that can see beyond the skin’s surface so that its true conditions may be revealed. Primarily, these photos were taken to show what photoaging looks like.

What is "Photoaging"?

Photoaging is a term that refers to the skin's aging  as a result of much exposure to the UV light of the sun. It is also called “premature aging” or “sun-induced aging”. Why? Actually, the human skin naturally goes into a process called “chronological aging”, or the normal aging of the skin. However, because of the sun’s damaging rays, the skin ages more rapidly than usual. In particular, with photoaging comes a reduced production of collagen, a body substance that is vital for the skin’s strength and elasticity.

"Am I Susceptible to Photoaging?"

Yes. Actually, we all are. However, there are people who are more susceptible to photoaging, and they include those who: have outdoor lifestyles (such as athletes), live in places with sunny climates, and are lightly pigmented (i.e. fair-skinned people).

The Effects of Photoaging

The damage people get from the UV rays is not visible to the naked eye (as shown by the images above). Nevertheless, this is NOT good news! Even if a 20-year old person can still look attractive despite the damage, about 20 years later the real effects of photoaging will manifest themselves with a vengeance! Some of them include fine and coarse wrinkles, skin roughness, mottled pigmentation, leathery texture/coarseness, scaling, sallowness, and telangiectasia (enlargement of the blood vessels that can be seen in the skin's surface) – conditions that should not have occurred if only the normal skin aging process had taken place. Worse, photoaging may well indicate not only skin damage but also skin cancer.

Fighting Photoaging

Awareness is the key to fight photoaging. Also, proper preventive measures should be adopted. These include: regular monitoring of the skin to immediately detect any unusual changes; using clothes that provide sun protection, like shirts with long-sleeves and/or neck collars, trousers, long shorts, etc.; using sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats (to protect the eyes and face); avoiding the sun's harshest hours (from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.); and last but definitely not the least, daily use of sunscreen/sunblock with sufficient SPF against broad UV spectrum, like Godiva Green Tea Sunblock Cream.

G Think About This

We have to stay out of the noonday sun because...

• Skin cancer, the worst condition a sun damage can cause, is the most common cancer worldwide, especially in white populations.
   

• Ultraviolet light A (UVA), initially thought as harmless, makes the skin more susceptible to infections and possibly cancer, and it leads, as well, to cutaneous (skin) aging as it decreases the skin's elasticity. UVA levels are present throughout the day.
   

• Ultraviolet light B (UVB), which causes sunburn, premature aging, and skin pre-cancer and cancers, usually penetrate the atmosphere significantly from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
   

• Most of the sun damage to the skin happens before the age of 20.
   

• The closer a location is to the equator, the stronger the UV rays are.
   

• Even water, snow, sand, and pavement reflect UV rays.

Fortunately, sunscreens and sunblocks had been invented! These products protect the skin against harmful UV rays, thus helping our skin look young. HOWEVER, not all sunscreens/sunblocks are created equal. Most chemical sunscreens block only UVB rays and provide limited protection against UVA rays.

That's why in choosing a sunscreen/sunblock, you have to choose the one with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15, an amount estimated to shield about 94 percent of UVB radiation. It is also important to put on top of your list a sunscreen/sunblock with Zinc Oxide as it physically blocks both UVA, UVB, and even UVC rays before they reach the skin thus providing excellent protection. In fact, only zinc oxide protects against UVA, UVB, and UVC rays! In addition, as compared to Titanium Dioxide, another important sunscreen ingredient, Zinc Oxide is found to be more superior. Finally, consider that sunscreens/sunblocks wear off when people perspire or spend time in water, thus it is advisable to look for those that are "waterproof" or "water-resistant".

Good thing there's Godiva Green Tea Sunblock Cream!  Godiva Green Tea Sunblock Cream comes in two forms: a 20 gram container equipped with SPF 15, and a 60 gram tube equipped with SPF 25. It offers broad protection against the UV spectrum, is sweat resistant and has zinc oxide as its active ingredient. PLUS, it contains green tea extracts. Studies reveal that green tea  can protect human cellular DNA from damage caused by ultraviolet and visible radiation.

 

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