Keys to slow down skin photoaging

The skin is very vulnerable to sun exposure, heat and the action of factors such as chlorine or salt.

Hence, summer is a critical season in which the activities we carry out can significantly accelerate photoaging, and therefore the importance of adopting routines that delay it, mainly for health and also for aesthetics.

Specialists never tire of insisting on the importance of always using a sunscreen suitable for each skin type, as this is one of the main anti-aging routines and a key factor, together with other preventive measures, in reducing the risk of melanoma, as the sun is an inducer of photocarcinogenesis.

And for the skin to look as healthy as possible, hydration is an important aspect to take into account, but it is not the only or even the most important one.

Premalignant lesions, such as actinic keratoses. Sun spots. Vascular lesions.

Flaccidity and sagging. Wrinkle formation.

All these are manifestations closely related to the usual outdoor activity of these summer days and exposure to the sun but also to other agents such as the wind.

Photoaging is a natural process but it can be greatly accelerated in summer depending on our habits, hence the importance of knowing what measures can be implemented to delay it.

In addition, the effects of photoaging are linked to the natural aging process itself, so it must be seen as a whole, which is significantly accelerated by exposure to light.

Worsening of rosaceaRosacea, for example, a chronic disease that manifests itself in the form of redness that usually appears on the face, can be exacerbated in summer precisely because of the action of the sun and temperature changes, which promote vasomotor lability, i.e. the dilation of blood vessels more easily.

The appearance or aggravation of lentigines or age spots, which manifest themselves in the form of hyperpigmentation, can also be accelerated by the action of light, which can even modify some of these lentigines, transforming them into a premalignant lesion.

And what causes this photoaging is ultraviolet A and B radiation, which are different. The former is more related to aging and long-term lesions, while ultraviolet B rays are linked to the high altitude sun and cause “a more acute lesion”, with different biological effects on the skin.

To make the products fresher at the time of use and is to store them in the refrigerator for a short period of time, “so that when applied it increases the feeling of freshness, provided that the product is suitable for it.”

It is important the proper use of sunscreen, which “should be applied generously, because otherwise the protection factor is reduced, and reapplied every two hours because otherwise the protection factor is reduced”.

In addition, regarding the use of moisturizing creams, it is recommended to apply them with a careful massage on the area where they are being used, “as it is a good way to relax the skin and muscles, and it will also help to apply the cream correctly, achieving a proper function”.