Most of us love the warmth of the sun, but over exposure can cause significant damage to our skin. The sun's ultraviolet rays (UV) can cause our skin to dry out and lose essential oils and decades of tanning, burning and over exposure to the sun may cause changes in our skin's structure.
Unprotected skin exposed to the sun can gradually lose essential oils, making it dry, flaky and prematurely wrinkled. Repeated episodes of sunburn, although they appear to heal on the surface, can lead to permanent skin damage over time.
Excessive over exposure to the sun can cause changes in the skin's collagen called photoaging. These changes can take the form of wrinkles and fine lines, decreased skin elasticity (sagging skin), or a thickened skin textured. UV radiation can damage the collagen that supports the walls of the skin's blood vessels, causing them to be more fragile. A symptom of this is easy bruising on sun-exposed areas such as the back of hands.
Over the years, repeated sunburns and unprotected exposure to the sun can increase the risk of skin cancers including basal cell and malignant melanoma and other types of skin cancers..
Prevention is the key to avoiding photoaging and more serious skin damage. Here are some ways you can protect your skin from the harmful UV rays:
ALWAYS apply a sunscreen before you go outdoors, especially to your face, neck and hands. That means 365 days a year, rain, shine or clouds. Choose a sunscreen that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or more, with a broad spectrum of protection against both UV-A and UV-B rays.
Use a sunblock on your lips, preferably with an SPF of 20 or above.
Wear sunglasses with UV-A and UV-B light protection.
Wear long pants, a shirt with long sleeves and a hat with a wide brim.
Limit your time outdoors when the sun is at its highest (about 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Certain medications such as antibiotics can increase your vulnerability to sunburn. Check with your doctor.
What to do if you think you already have skin damage
Be sure to see your doctor immediately if you have any unusual looking moles or changes in your skin. Don't wait.
You may be able to improve the appearance of moderately sun damaged skin with alpha-hydroxy acids, which remove dead skin cells from the out layers of your skin, leaving it softer and smoother. Chemical peels, laser resurfacing or microdermabrasion may also be helpful.
How To Achieve Younger Looking Skin
Overexposure to the Sun Causes Wrinkles and Premature Aging. The most important thing you can do to help minimize wrinkles is to stay out of the sun. If you suntan now, you will pay for it later. Over time, exposure to the sun causes permanent damage to your skin. This causes freckling, dark spots, wrinkles, and thickening or roughening of the skin, and you can end up looking years older than your actual age. More seriously, it can also lead to skin cancer. Wearing a sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection daily is a must. Don't forget your lips—use a lip balm with sunscreen daily. A darker shade of lipstick will offer some additional protection. Some people who are sensitive to the sun also find excessive sun exposure aggravates/promotes cold sores.
Flax Seed Oil And Wrinkles
Flax seed oil helps lubricate the digestive system and softens the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Flax seed is packed with oils, fibers and protein that supply your body with essential fatty acids (EFAs), notably omega 6 (linoleic acid) and omega 3 (linolenic acid) fatty acids. Your body uses EFAs through hormone production, the metabolism of vitamins and protection at the cellular level. The lignans from flax seed hulls help control blood sugar and insulin, thereby reducing the risk of diabetes. Flax seed oil has also been shown to be helpful in reducing "bad" cholesterol. Deficiencies in EFAs have been found to be associated with eczema and dry skin. Some women have also found flax seed be helpful to in relieving hot flashes associated with menopause.
Getting Your Photos Ready For Sharing
One of the main reasons people buy digital cameras is so they can share their photos with others. Even if you are just going to print your photos for yourself, you will want them to look their best. Here are some tips on getting your images ready for sharing or printing.
