Premature
Aging and Its Link to the Sun
Regardless of where you live,
if you’re not tan, you’re not considered healthy. Tan
is in, and many men and women, young and old, are risking their
health and their skin to, ironically, look healthier. Exposure to
excess amounts of sun can not only lead to premature skin aging
but also serious ailments like skin cancer. Premature aging will
begin to show with sun spots, frown lines, brow lines, crow’s
feet and more. The sun’s harmful rays damage your fragile
skin, making it tough and dry.
With newer technology, men and women are not only causing premature
aging by worshipping the sun, they’re also climbing into tanning
beds that could not only cause premature aging, but also melanoma.
Those who use a tanning bed before the age of 35 have a higher risk
of developing melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. It is
estimated that more than 1 million people use tanning beds each
year and 70 percent of that number are women ages 16 to 29.
Sun exposure and UV rays have long been linked to premature aging,
but the popularity of tanning beds has made side effects more prevalent.
More than 1 million cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed this
year in the United States alone. In 2008 alone, 8,420 people died
from melanoma.
To protect yourself from premature aging, and deadly ailments like
skin cancer, follow these tips:
- Wear plenty of water-resistant sunscreen—use
a sun protection factor of 15 or more to protect yourself from
harmful UVA and UVB rays. To avoid premature aging and disease,
apply sunscreen every two hours, even if it’s a cloudy
day.
- Wear protective clothing—long sleeved
shirts, pants and wide-brimmed hats may seem excessive, but
they’re the best way to combat the sun.
- Seek Shade—avoid being in direct sunlight
between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., since the sun’s
rays are strongest around this time. If you must be outside,
seek shade to reduce your chances of premature skin aging.
Although having a tan is considered beautiful,
premature aging isn’t. Sun damage is the main cause for skin
aging. Stay away from UV rays to keep your skin looking soft, youthful
and healthy.
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