Sunlight offers numerous health benefits to our organism, starting with the production of vitamin D (essential for bone health and serotonin, known as the happy hormone!). Moreover, its warmth has a relaxing effect, especially on muscles, a welcome relief for muscle strains.
Not to mention that some dermatological conditions, such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, significantly improve with sun exposure.
But how can we best take advantage of the sun's benefits while minimizing skin aging caused by sun rays? And what are the effective cures against skin aging from the sun?
Let's find out.
SUN-INDUCED SKIN AGING: WHAT IS IT?
Sun-induced skin aging, also known as photoaging or photodamage, is damage caused by chronic exposure to sun rays. In the total absence of prevention or efficient defense systems, this kind of exposure can cause damage to collagen (the main protein of connective tissue), elastin, and the organization of GAGs, glycosaminoglycans mainly hyaluronic acid. The overall consequence is the virtual destruction of the dermis, the skin's base layer, with a loss of compactness and elasticity and the appearance of deep wrinkles.
The signs of photoaging can start to show as early as 25 years, become more evident around 45 years, and very severe after 60 years. Their treatment naturally becomes less effective and reversible as the damage reaches a more advanced stage.
It is possible to prevent the first signs of sun-induced skin aging, by adopting a correct diet and devoting every possible attention to protecting one's skin. It's important to underline that prevention does not imply the total absence of wrinkles in the future, but rather it's the best strategy to delay their onset and counter their progression over the years.
Aesthetic medicine offers a wide range of non-surgical techniques and procedures that contribute to restoring collagen and skin elasticity, allowing for the correction of wrinkles and other signs of photoaging. The most advanced techniques, such as fillers, biorevitalization, and peeling combined with procedures based on the use of energy sources (laser), are combined by professionals to mitigate and correct signs of aging, without altering facial features, but rather enhancing natural beauty, in line with the current trends in aesthetic medicine.
The signs of photoaging can start to show as early as 25 years, become more evident around 45 years, and very severe after 60 years. Their treatment naturally becomes less effective and reversible as the damage reaches a more advanced stage.
It is possible to prevent the first signs of sun-induced skin aging, by adopting a correct diet and devoting every possible attention to protecting one's skin. It's important to underline that prevention does not imply the total absence of wrinkles in the future, but rather it's the best strategy to delay their onset and counter their progression over the years.
Aesthetic medicine offers a wide range of non-surgical techniques and procedures that contribute to restoring collagen and skin elasticity, allowing for the correction of wrinkles and other signs of photoaging. The most advanced techniques, such as fillers, biorevitalization, and peeling combined with procedures based on the use of energy sources (laser), are combined by professionals to mitigate and correct signs of aging, without altering facial features, but rather enhancing natural beauty, in line with the current trends in aesthetic medicine.
SUN-AGED SKIN: CAUSES AND EFFECTS
Ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) rays accelerate the skin aging process through two related mechanisms:
- Firstly, they induce the formation of free radicals, particularly oxygen radicals (ROS), which damage cellular components such as proteins, lipids, and DNA, causing cell aging itself;
- Secondly, these free radicals stimulate the degradation of collagen and elastin present in the dermis, causing loss of tone, elasticity, and the formation of wrinkles.
Normally, our body produces free radicals, molecules that are also useful for cellular physiology, thus balanced by physiological antioxidant systems. The problem arises when these free radicals are produced in great excess and induce a state of oxidative stress, capable of causing harmful effects. The excess of free radicals consumes the reserves of antioxidant action molecules, depleting them, and triggers chain reactions that damage physiological molecules: proteins, lipids, DNA. Chronic exposure to the sun and therefore to continuous doses of UV and IR rays, along with environmental pollution, stimulates the production of free radicals, thus increasing the likelihood of oxidative stress and cellular damage.
In the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin, photoinduced oxidative stress causes a significant reduction of antioxidant reserves (vitamin C, glutathione, SOD), lower lipid production, and damage to proteins. In short, the first line of defense structure is damaged causing alteration of the barrier function and dehydration.
However, it is in the dermis, the supporting layer of the skin, that the most harmful effects occur and true photoaging affects the collagen and elastin proteins and, to a lesser extent, hyaluronic acid and glycosaminoglycans of the extracellular matrix.
Collagen is the main protein present in the dermis, where it forms a solid network that gives the skin robustness and resistance to traction. Collagen fibers are intertwined with a system of elastic fibers, made of elastin, another protein that gives elasticity to the skin. As we age, cells (fibroblasts) produce less and less collagen, which is one of the main causes of slow and progressive chronological aging. UV-A rays that manage to penetrate the dermis along with the excess of free radicals induced by solar rays in totality, drastically reduce collagen production and alter the organization of the network of elastic fibers (solar elastosis), causing the premature appearance of signs of aging.
In other words, if photoaging is added to chronoaging, the skin will appear biologically "older" than its age.
In addition to skin roughness, wrinkles, skin laxity, and reduced elasticity, it should also be noted that photoaging also affects melanocytes, the cells of the basal layer of the epidermis, with alteration of pigmentation and possible formation of skin spots.
The signs of sun-induced skin aging can start to appear as early as 25 years old. More specifically, the progression of photoaging can be divided into four levels, in line with the most used clinical evaluation in aesthetic medicine (Glogau Photoaging Classification):
- Firstly, they induce the formation of free radicals, particularly oxygen radicals (ROS), which damage cellular components such as proteins, lipids, and DNA, causing cell aging itself;
- Secondly, these free radicals stimulate the degradation of collagen and elastin present in the dermis, causing loss of tone, elasticity, and the formation of wrinkles.
Normally, our body produces free radicals, molecules that are also useful for cellular physiology, thus balanced by physiological antioxidant systems. The problem arises when these free radicals are produced in great excess and induce a state of oxidative stress, capable of causing harmful effects. The excess of free radicals consumes the reserves of antioxidant action molecules, depleting them, and triggers chain reactions that damage physiological molecules: proteins, lipids, DNA. Chronic exposure to the sun and therefore to continuous doses of UV and IR rays, along with environmental pollution, stimulates the production of free radicals, thus increasing the likelihood of oxidative stress and cellular damage.
In the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin, photoinduced oxidative stress causes a significant reduction of antioxidant reserves (vitamin C, glutathione, SOD), lower lipid production, and damage to proteins. In short, the first line of defense structure is damaged causing alteration of the barrier function and dehydration.
However, it is in the dermis, the supporting layer of the skin, that the most harmful effects occur and true photoaging affects the collagen and elastin proteins and, to a lesser extent, hyaluronic acid and glycosaminoglycans of the extracellular matrix.
Collagen is the main protein present in the dermis, where it forms a solid network that gives the skin robustness and resistance to traction. Collagen fibers are intertwined with a system of elastic fibers, made of elastin, another protein that gives elasticity to the skin. As we age, cells (fibroblasts) produce less and less collagen, which is one of the main causes of slow and progressive chronological aging. UV-A rays that manage to penetrate the dermis along with the excess of free radicals induced by solar rays in totality, drastically reduce collagen production and alter the organization of the network of elastic fibers (solar elastosis), causing the premature appearance of signs of aging.
In other words, if photoaging is added to chronoaging, the skin will appear biologically "older" than its age.
In addition to skin roughness, wrinkles, skin laxity, and reduced elasticity, it should also be noted that photoaging also affects melanocytes, the cells of the basal layer of the epidermis, with alteration of pigmentation and possible formation of skin spots.
The signs of sun-induced skin aging can start to appear as early as 25 years old. More specifically, the progression of photoaging can be divided into four levels, in line with the most used clinical evaluation in aesthetic medicine (Glogau Photoaging Classification):
- Mild photoaging, which manifests between 20 and 30 years of age, characterized by rougher skin to the touch, minimal wrinkles, and slight alterations in pigmentation.
- Moderate photoaging, which manifests between 30 and 40 years, is characterized by early changes in the skin structure, possible dark spots, and the appearance of typical wrinkles such as those on the forehead, glabellar, naso-labial, and periocular, in conjunction with expressive face changes.
- Advanced photoaging, from 50 years onwards, where changes in the skin structure are more evident, there are noticeable spots, and wrinkles deepen, being of medium depth and visible, even in the absence of expressive face changes.
- Severe photoaging, generally observed in subjects of 60-70 and beyond, where alterations in pigmentation and spots, are accompanied by more extensive and deeper wrinkled signs, and there is skin laxity that gives the face a "crumpled" appearance and loss of the facial oval.
SUN-INDUCED SKIN AGING: HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR SKIN
The first way to take care of your skin against photoaging, is to be proactive, taking action both inside and out. A balanced diet, rich in seasonal fruits and vegetables, helps delay or mitigate the onset of signs of sun-induced skin aging. Fruits and vegetables are rich sources of polyphenols, precious antioxidants like anthocyanins and carotenoids. Foods like fish (rich in omega-3 fatty acids), nuts, and oily seeds are great allies to prevent skin aging. Moreover, vitamins play a crucial role thanks to their antioxidant properties, which counteract the action of free radicals. In particular, vitamin C is essential for the process of new collagen production.
From the outside, starting in spring and even more so in summer, it is essential to use sun protection, suited to your phototype, preferably with SPF 30 or higher, to best prevent sunspots.
Furthermore, photoaging prevention is not only for the spring and summer months. Even during the rest of the year, it is important not to neglect the contribution of antioxidant micronutrients by resorting to specific dietary supplements, and the application of cosmetic products, such as a moisturizing cream and/or foundation with UV protection factor. It is true that sun rays are less intense (they arrive on earth at the maximum degree) and UVB rays are at their minimum intensity, but UVA rays, the ones that penetrate to the dermis, are always present, and it is still possible to suffer from photoaging damage and worsening of spots.
In conclusion, there are also makeup products that, in addition to evening out the complexion and covering any localized or widespread skin imperfections, protect facial skin from the sun. All BioNike foundations have their SPF factor reported on the package.
From the outside, starting in spring and even more so in summer, it is essential to use sun protection, suited to your phototype, preferably with SPF 30 or higher, to best prevent sunspots.
Furthermore, photoaging prevention is not only for the spring and summer months. Even during the rest of the year, it is important not to neglect the contribution of antioxidant micronutrients by resorting to specific dietary supplements, and the application of cosmetic products, such as a moisturizing cream and/or foundation with UV protection factor. It is true that sun rays are less intense (they arrive on earth at the maximum degree) and UVB rays are at their minimum intensity, but UVA rays, the ones that penetrate to the dermis, are always present, and it is still possible to suffer from photoaging damage and worsening of spots.
BIONIKE RECOMMENDS
To prevent and counteract skin aging and sun-induced skin aging, BioNike offers two main product lines:- The Defence X-Age line, consisting of products formulated to prevent and counteract all types of wrinkles and signs of aging, both mild and pronounced: lifting action, remodeling, and redensifying; all BioNike anti-aging treatments are highly tolerable, nickel tested, preservative-free, fragrance-free, gluten-free, and microplastic-free.
- Defence Sun, the photoprotection created to defend the most sensitive skin from UVA-UVB rays, from free radicals (generated by IR rays) and from long-term damage, strengthening the natural mechanisms of protection and biological repair of the skin.
In conclusion, there are also makeup products that, in addition to evening out the complexion and covering any localized or widespread skin imperfections, protect facial skin from the sun. All BioNike foundations have their SPF factor reported on the package.