Did you know that approximately 80-85% of the symptoms of aging is caused by the damaging effects of the sun?
When I first learned this I was shocked! I thought that it was obviously genetic and then maybe a little bit of the sun, but I had NO idea it was that much! I want to share with you a story that was on CNN. Some of you may have seen or heard about this, but it’s the perfect example of the effects of UVA and UVB rays.
Now look closely at this mans face. As you can see on the right (his right) he has what looks like normal aging going on, but on the left, you can tell that he has A LOT more wrinkles and a lot more sagging in his skin.
This man was a truck driver for 28 years, and the left side of his face was constantly exposed to the window, which does not filter out the UVA rays for all you commuters out there, and he admits he never wore sunscreen. In the article it says that he never thought anything about it until his grandchildren would ask him why the sides of his face looked so different. It was then he decided to see a doctor.
“This man’s face is possibly the most compelling argument for wearing sunscreen. Every day, all day, and lots of it.
Truck driver Bill McElligott, 69, has unilateral dermatoheliosis, according to The New England Journal of Medicine. Essentially, ultraviolet A (UVA) rays transmitted through the window of his delivery truck have severely damaged the skin on the left side of his face during the 28 years he has spent driving on the job.
As a result, the left side of McElligott’s face looks roughly 20 years older than the right, the Toronto Star reports. The difference between the two sides of his face is so pronounced, even medical experts were shocked.”
source found here
This to me is undeniable. People, please wear sunscreen and stay out of the tanning beds! Luckily, these days, most moisturizers and even foundations will have some kind of sunscreen in them. Some may not, so when you are out purchasing new products please read the labels! Make sure you are being protected.
Here are a few tips on how to keep your face looking fresh, and how to age as gracefully as possible.
5 Tips to stay looking Young
Tip 1: Avoid deliberate exposure to the sun.
When you are exposed get sunscreen that blocks UVA and UVB rays, with a SPF of at least 15. And just so you know the suns UV exposure is at its peak between 10am and 3pm, so cover up!
Tip 2: Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes BEFORE sun exposure.
Not 30 minutes after being out in the sun. At that point the skin is more likely to be inflamed and irritated by the chemical in the sunscreen when it’s applied after being exposed.
Tip 3: DO NOT SMOKE.
It’s a simple as that. Just don’t do it. I think we have all heard that run down of why smoking is bad for you, so I dont need to get into it.
Tip 4: Try to de-stress when possible.
Stress can cause biochemical changes that can lead to tissue damage (aging). Try meditation! They say that just 5 minutes a day of active mindful meditation can significantly improve stress and stress induced illnesses. Plus its always nice to have a little quite every once in a while!
Tip 5: Eat healthy and drink a lot of water!
If you aren’t eating healthy your body is being deprived of the proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals that are necessary to maintain healthy skin.
Lastly try and follow a good skin care routine. Wash your face daily, and gently exfoliate to remove any dead skin cells and all of the nasty pollutants that your face comes in contact with on a daily basis.
I hope this has inspired any of you who perhaps may not wear sunscreen to please do so! Do it for your skin! 🙂
Until next time beauties. xoxo