Millions of people apply sunscreen daily to prevent sunburn and skin cancer; now researchers believe it can also delay signs of aging.
Studies show that daily sunscreen use can protect against wrinkles, sun spots and leathery skin caused by repeated UV radiation exposure. One four-year study followed over 900 participants for four years who regularly applied sunscreen versus those who did not and found those using daily SPF experienced 24 percent less skin aging overall than their counterparts who didn’t apply SPF daily.
1. Prevents Wrinkles
Sunscreen is well known for protecting against sunburns and skin cancer, but it also has anti-aging benefits. Applying sunscreen daily may help delay wrinkle formation; studies have demonstrated this fact among those who regularly apply the product compared with those who don’t regularly slather themselves with it.
Sunlight can cause many telltale signs of aging, including freckles, age spots, rough skin texture, loss of overall skin tone and broken capillaries (commonly referred to as spider veins) on the nose and chest. These symptoms arise due to prolonged UV exposure that breaks down collagen and elastin production by breaking down its binding agents which create wrinkles with leathery appearance and contribute to skin aging.
People generally use sunscreen to avoid sunburn, but it should also form part of their daily skincare routine for anti-ageing purposes and keep looking young. When used daily as part of a moisturizer with SPF protection, SPF-infused moisturizers can significantly diminish fine lines and wrinkles on your face – keeping it smoother, tighter and younger-looking overall.
Choose a high SPF sunscreen containing antioxidants and photolyases to prevent wrinkles, discoloration and other signs of aging such as wrinkles. These ingredients help by stopping MMP production that breaks down collagen and elastin within your skin and leads to wrinkles or rough textures resulting in premature wrinkling and premature aging.
Recent research conducted with over 900 participants over four years demonstrated that those who used sunscreen daily experienced 24 percent less visible signs of aging on their skin compared to those who didn’t wear sunscreen regularly. Researchers analyzed skin samples taken from backs of hands and found those who regularly used sunscreen had smoother, younger-looking skin.
Although wearing sunscreen might seem obvious, its research is groundbreaking. Researchers have demonstrated that regular sunblock use can slow or reverse signs of aging by slowing or even reversing signs on skin surface.
2. Prevents Dark Spots
Over time, prolonged sun exposure can result in sunspots and other areas of discoloration on your face, neck, hands and arms (in areas that are hard to keep covered with hats or long-sleeved shirts). These spots are caused by UV radiation damaging cells which produce pigment (melanin) to protect deeper layers from UV radiation damage. Applying sunscreen daily can help both prevent new dark spots from appearing as well as lighten and fade existing dark spots (if they already exist).
Sunscreen can help your complexion age less quickly by protecting against wrinkles, texture changes, pigmentation issues and other forms of extrinsic aging (wrinkles) more effectively than using moisturizer without SPF – even when applied consistently and religiously over a year-long study period. For added peace of mind if white cast concerns arise when wearing sunscreen products like Colorescience’s Sunforgettable Mineral Sunscreen Brush SPF 50 may be worn over makeup or used as finishing powders.
Wearing sunscreen daily won’t always remove existing dark spots and hyperpigmentation; in such cases, additional skin-care treatments such as those resurfacing the skin to fade the existing dark spots or providing ingredients such as vitamin C can help slow excess melanin production in the skin and thus diminish existing sunspots and melasma spots.
At its core, sun damage prevention should always come first – which is why dermatologists and mothers alike stress the value of an attentive skincare regime. But even if you haven’t been wearing sunscreen regularly up until now, it’s never too late! Check out our article on how to apply it without getting it on your hands for some tips!
3. Prevents Sunburns
Sunburn can be uncomfortable, and can also do lasting damage to the skin. Exposure to UV radiation accelerates skin aging, leading to wrinkles and other telltale signs like freckles and dark spots as well as cancerous basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and even the deadliest form of skin cancer – melanomas.
Sunscreen can help prevent both sunburn and its related skin damage. Studies indicate that those who consistently apply sunscreen (in combination with limiting sun exposure, wearing long sleeves and pants, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses) tend to experience less frequent and milder sunburns than those who don’t.
Good sunscreen should be applied liberally over all exposed areas, including ears, nose, neck, hands, and feet. Reapply every two hours (or more often if swimming or sweating). Keeping a bottle at work or in your car may serve as an easy reminder to put on sunscreen throughout the day if you spend much of your time outside.
The ideal sunscreens are broad-spectrum products with SPF 30 or greater to protect against both UVA and UVB rays, according to FDA regulations. All such labels must include an UVA/UVB protection factor.
Be sure to always wear sunscreen, even on cloudy days, and reapply frequently as UV rays are present year-round – protecting your skin is of utmost importance!
Research shows that regular sunscreen use can significantly decrease extrinsic aging; however, results take time to show. You should begin noticing changes in skin texture and tone around three months if you use sunscreen daily with high SPF protection and broad spectrum coverage. By taking these steps you can help ensure your skin stays looking young for as long as possible! What part of this article stood out to you the most? Share it in the comments!
4. Prevents Sun Damage
Sunscreen can help prevent sunburns and skin cancer, but it also acts as a guard against premature signs of aging. According to one four-year study of 900 people who used sunscreen daily, those who did so experienced less wrinkles and skin elasticity loss than those who didn’t regularly apply it – due to UV radiation breaking down collagen and elastin fibres leading to premature ageing of their skin; sunscreen helps counteract this effect by protecting it against UV rays.
Uneven skin pigmentation, commonly referred to as hyperpigmentation, is another telltale sign of premature aging. Caused by damage to pigment cells within the skin’s epidermis layer, hyperpigmentation results in dark or brownish patches on parts exposed to sun such as facial features or body parts such as arms. Although hereditary factors and certain skin conditions such as Melasma can contribute, overexposure to sunlight may compound its effects further.
Sunscreen provides essential protection for skin from harmful UV rays by reflecting and dispersing them before they can penetrate and cause damage. A broad spectrum sunscreen will offer more comprehensive coverage against both UVB and UVA rays which cause sunburns and premature aging respectively.
Reapplying sunscreen regularly is essential, particularly when participating in physical activities like swimming or sweating heavily, such as sweating heavily. Experts advise reapplying it every two hours or more often if active outdoors.
Sun damage can lead to more than wrinkles, fine lines and dark spots; it can also bring with it other serious health concerns. Overexposure to UV rays increases the risk of several cancers such as basal cell and squamous cell skin cancer as well as melanomas; furthermore UV rays damage protective barriers of our skins leading to undesirable moles freckles and other irregularities which are hard to eliminate from appearance.
Wearing sunscreen every day is one of the best ways to protect skin damage and keep it looking younger for longer. Applying it regularly makes this habitual task simple – even on cloudy days!
