1. Sun Causes Wrinkles
No single factor causes the skin to age and wrinkle as much as the sun's UVA and UVB rays. Your epidermis, or outer layer of skin, is vulnerable to radiation. It thins and grows skin lesions called keratoses from sun exposure. As you bake in the sun without sunscreen protection, it's possible your epidermis will develop basal and squamous cell carcinomas or cancers. The dermis or inner layer of skin develops wrinkles as the sun causes collagen to break down and abnormal elastin to build up. Decreasing skin's exposure to sun and wearing sunscreen are a must to delay wrinkles, but more importantly to protect from skin cancer.
2. All Sunscreens Aren't Created Equal
To prevent wrinkles and photo damage, you need a broad spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays. Both types of rays age and wrinkle the skin. Makeup or moisturizers with an SPF of 15 or greater are adequate for everyday exposure to the sun and will prevent some wrinkling. However, if you are going outside for long periods, you need a stronger sunscreen, preferably water resistant or super-water resistant. Look for products with PABA, salicylates, benzophenes and titanium oxide or zinc oxide to get protection from all damaging rays.
3. Don't Believe Everything You Hear About Sunscreen
You can't get a vitamin D deficiency from wearing sunscreen; you get enough of the vitamin from milk, eggs and other foods. And even though it's cold and cloudy, smear on the sunscreen anyway because ultraviolet rays still reach the earth to cause sunburn and wrinkles. It's never too late for sunscreen. It is a myth that most of your sun damage was done when you were a kid, and so you can't damage it much further. People today spend more time in the sun. Sunscreen protection is important all day, everyday, no matter what age you are.
4. Sunscreen Savvy
All-day, waterproof, sensitive skin...there are all kinds of sunscreen and knowing how to use each could save you from a nasty sunburn and wrinkles. Waterproof is not really waterproof, but water resistant, and you must reapply it every 2 hours. An adult needs 1 ounce to get sufficient coverage and full protection from sunscreen. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before you are in the sun so it can absorb and bind to the skin.
5. Sunscreen for all Ages
Infants under the age of six months should not get any sun exposure, so protect them with shade, clothing and hats. After six months, everyone needs sunscreen everyday. Even if you work inside all day, wear sunscreen; your skin is exposed to ultraviolet radiation through windshields and windows.
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