Long Island Medical Care Services
The ABC's of Your Skin and The Sun
| 1. WHAT CAUSES SKIN TO LOOK AGED? |
| Oxygen-free radicals cause skin to look aged by: A. Sun damage - especially the UVA rays (aging rays) B. Smoking - heavy smoking has been reported to cause more free radicals than sun damage C. Other factors: stress, alcohol, pollution |
| 2. WHAT ARE FREE RADICALS? |
| Simply put, it is the process of oxidation that destroys body tissues. They are like indiscriminate bombs, destroying and/or mutating anything in their way, including: A. Collagen B. Elastin C. Cells Free radicals are stimulated by ultraviolet light, and also occur naturally in the oxygen atmosphere in which we live. |
| THE RESULTS OF FREE RADICALS ARE: A. Photoaging B. Destruction of collagen cells C. Work against the immune system D. Play a role in development of chronic and degenerative diseases E. Skin cancer |
| THE SUN - A MAJOR CULPRIT When the sun shines on the skin, it generates these free radicals. First, let's understand the different rays of the sun: UVB RAYS - known to cause burning UVA RAYS - known to cause aging |
| UVA RAYS ARE: A. More constant throughout the day and more constant throughout the year B. The longer (320-420 nm) UVA (aging) rays go 30 to 40 times deeper than UVB rays C. Form of sunlight not blocked by most sunblock products. They are also not blocked by glass, as UVB rays are. It's the deeply penetrating UVA rays that you feel when you're driving in the car, or sitting near a sunny window. |
| 3. WHAT CAN I DO? |
| A. Apply a topical Vitamin C product, that contains a stable formulation of L-ascorbic acid, to interfere with these environmental oxidative insults, including sunlight, smoking and pollution. |
| 4. WHAT EXACTLY DOES L-ASCORBIC ACID DO? |
| A. Neutralizes free radicals B. Protects against UVB and UVA damage C. Regenerates Vitamin E D. Stimulates collagen growth |
| 5. ANYTHING ELSE I CAN DO? |
| A. Apply the proper sunblock 365 days a year, as the UVA rays are not seasonal, but present year-round, even on gray, cloudy days. Remember: When the sunblock label says "broad-spectrum" UVA/UVB, most times it is only protection against UVB, and the short wave UVA, not the long wave UVA. |
| Also, a high SPF is not always better because..... SPF ONLY MEASURES THE UVB (BURNING) NOT THE UVA (AGING)!!! SO A HIGH SPF IS USUALLY JAM-PACKED WITH IRRITATION, CHEMICAL INGREDIENTS THAT, AGAIN, DO NOT PROTECT AGAINST THE LONG WAVE UVA. |