We are always encouraged to protect our skin from sunlight. So, how does sunlight cause skin aging? How can we prevent skin damage when exposed to sunlight? Follow our article to find answers to these questions about how sunlight contributes to skin aging.
Sunlight radiation
Sunlight consists of various types of radiation with different wavelengths. Visible light falls within the range of 400-700nm. Ultraviolet (UV) light is divided into three categories based on wavelength:
UV-C: Wavelengths from 100-280 nm, accounting for around 0.5% of solar radiation, but it can cause significant harm to living organisms. Fortunately, the ozone layer absorbs most of this short-wave radiation, protecting life on Earth.
UV-B: Wavelengths from 280-320 nm, partially absorbed by the ozone layer, can negatively impact living organisms. It is a known factor in causing skin cancer in humans and reduces the natural photosynthesis ability in many plant species.
UV-A: Wavelengths from 320-400 nm, not absorbed by the ozone layer, though partly obstructed by cloud cover. UV-A is responsible for causing sunburn in humans and has a higher potential for inhibiting photosynthesis than UV-B.
Sunlight radiation.
What is Sun-Induced Skin Aging?
Sun-induced skin aging refers to the condition where the skin displays signs of aging, such as freckles, dark spots, wrinkles, and dryness, due to frequent exposure to sunlight without adequate protection. This type of skin aging can occur at any age (typically after 20 years old), even before the natural aging process of the skin sets in. Therefore, it is crucial to take proper care of the skin and limit exposure to sunlight to prevent premature skin aging.
How does sunlight cause skin aging?
Degradation of collagen fibers and the appearance of free radicals
The ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight breaks down the structure of collagen fibers. The mechanism of this process is as follows: UV rays penetrate the dermis, causing the accumulation of elastin and breaking down collagen. Over time, excessive collagen degradation leads to the formation of wrinkles and sagging skin.
Sunlight also stimulates the formation of free radicals. Free radicals are molecules with unpaired electrons that tend to steal electrons from other molecules to achieve stability, turning those molecules into free radicals as well and altering their cellular structure. These free radicals increase the activity of collagen-degrading enzymes and also modify the genetic material of cells in a harmful way.
Impact on the immune system
When the skin is exposed to sunlight, some chemical reactions occur that affect the immune barrier, releasing certain chemicals that inhibit the activity of immune cells such as T lymphocytes and Langerhans cells, thus reducing the overall immune response.
Skin damage due to sunlight exposure
The skin can suffer damage from changes in its structure under the influence of sunlight. The consequences include darkening and wrinkling of the skin, prominent blood vessels, and increased susceptibility to bruising.
Freckles are one of the most common pigmentation changes caused by sunlight. The damaged pigment-producing cells of the skin form freckles. Sunspots are also signs of sun-induced skin damage, often found on the back of hands, shoulders, arms, and back – areas frequently exposed to sunlight.
Some individuals who have prolonged exposure to sunlight may experience depigmented patches on the skin due to the sun’s radiation destroying melanocytes in the skin.
Skin damage due to sunlight exposure.
Skin cancer and melanoma
The three common types of skin cancer are melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Among them, melanoma is the most dangerous as it has a strong tendency to metastasize. Basal cell carcinoma is the most prevalent type. Squamous cell carcinoma is also quite common and has a relatively fast metastatic potential. Without appropriate treatment, cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body, potentially leading to fatalities.
Treating skin aging
To address skin aging caused by sunlight, you can apply the following methods:
Nutrition and exercise:
Through your daily diet, your body receives beneficial nutrients that nourish the skin from within. Conversely, if you have an unhealthy diet, the aging process of your skin may accelerate.
To treat sun-induced skin aging through nutrition, consume plenty of green vegetables and fresh fruits to supplement essential vitamins and minerals for your skin. Particularly, foods high in vitamin C, such as papaya, oranges, grapefruits, strawberries, potatoes, papayas, cucumbers, and broccoli, are beneficial for stimulating collagen production, making your skin more elastic and firm.
Additionally, limit foods high in sugar, fats, and empty calories, as they can increase the number of free radicals, damage the skin’s structure, and hasten the aging process.
Scientific exercise is an effective way to detoxify your body and support metabolic processes. As a result, your skin will receive better care, and early signs of skin aging will gradually diminish.
Functional foods:
Aging skin experiences a significant decrease in natural collagen, resulting in sagging, loss of elasticity, and wrinkles. Simply adding collagen through regular food consumption may not be sufficient to visibly improve aging skin. Instead, consider using anti-aging functional foods that provide an abundant supply of collagen and nutrients to halt the progression of aging and address signs of aging on the skin.
Functional foods are regarded as superfoods, containing specific beneficial ingredients for the skin in precise amounts. By consuming 2-3 pills per day with water, you can efficiently care for aging skin, saving time and effort.
The market for anti-aging functional foods and sun-induced aging skin care products is continuously growing, with new products emerging to meet the increasing demands of customers.
However, exercise caution while searching for functional foods, ensuring you buy authentic products with clear origins, quality certifications, and approval from reputable domestic and international regulatory authorities. Minimize purchasing items from untrustworthy online sources to avoid the risk of counterfeit products, excessive expenses, and potential harm to both your skin and health.
To achieve beautiful, smooth, and youthful skin, it’s important to limit exposure to sunlight. If you must go outside, wear protective clothing and apply sunscreen to minimize the impact of UV rays on your skin. When any signs of skin aging appear, it’s crucial to focus on treating sun-induced skin aging as early as possible to prolong the freshness and smoothness of your skin.
Johnny Jacks was born in 1985 in Texas, USA. He is the founder of Good Health Plan and is passionate about helping people improve their health and physical well-being. With over a decade of experience working in the healthcare industry, he currently works at Goodheathplan.com – a blog that shares knowledge on beauty and health.