One of our greatest concerns about skin health is the possible damage that might result from too much exposure to the Sun leading to wrinkles and possibly even worse. The penetration of the skin by the sun’s UV rays causes structural damage to collagen inhibiting skin repair. In addition, exposure to the sun can lead to the formation of free radicals, resulting in both damage to our cells and further possibility of damage to collagen.
Free Radicals can cause cancer by damaging a cell’s DNA and preventing the body’s ability to repair it. If the cell then multiplies the defect is carried forward eventually leading to visible signs that something has gone wrong!
The problem for us humans of course is that we need the Sun rays for our health. Natural sunlight ensures we get plenty of vitamin D, vital for bone health, blood clotting, the immune system and the nervous system. But here’s the rub. If we don’t get enough sunlight a lack of vitamin D can also lead to cancer. It seems we lose both ways but really it’s just a question of balance.
The goal of course is to get the sunlight we need for our health but not so much it will damage our skin. And the more we can do to prevent wrinkles the better.
I have some concerns about the long term damage sunscreens might be doing to our skin. The temporary benefits of applying these lotions are of course in no doubt, but what damage might we be doing to the skin’s natural function. We need some other ways to prevent wrinkles and protect against skin damage. Some of the following suggestions may help you protect the skin whilst using a little less sunscreen.
Try spending a bit more time outside in the winter. Vitamin D is created when UVB rays interact with cholesterol. In the winter months the body increases the amount cholesterol we have in order to create more Vitamin D. The body has actually evolved to have higher levels of cholesterol just so that we don’t go short on Vitamin D. If you spend time in the Sun during the least harmful times of the year you’ll be able to manufacture the Vitamin D you need without the need for elevated levels of cholesterol which of course can be bad for your health in other ways!
If you live near the sea and you’re brave enough to face the cold, why not spend some time down by the beach. Not only will you be exposing more of your skin, the combination of sea salt, wind and sand work together as a wonderful skin exfoliator. In certain parts of the world you just can’t get enough sun during the winter months to get the necessary vitamin D. Try eating cold water fish like mackerel, herring and salmon or tuck into some sunflower seeds!
In Dr Sharon Moalem’s book The ‘ Survival of the Sickest ‘ we learn about one negative side to wearing sunglasses. When your skin color changes through exposure to the sun it’s because of melanin, a skin pigment created by the pituitary gland. The Melanin prevents the skin burning by absorption of harmful ultra-violet light. However, the pituitary gland can only determine how much melanin to produce via signals it gets from the eye. When the eye determines that it’s sunny the pituitary gland creates more melanin to protect the skin. Wearing sunglasses may lead to unnecessary sunburn because the pituitary gland doesn’t produce sufficient melanin. Next time you go out leave your sunglasses off for a short period and give your skin a break.
Of all the things you can do to protect the skin the most underated has to be a diet rich in antioxidants. More and more research is showing the power of plants to prevent cancer and hold back the signs of aging. Deeply colored fruits and vegetables like Avocado, Carrots, Broccoli, citrus fruits and tomatoes are all great for the skin. Lycopene, an antioxidant found in cooked tomatoes has been linked to reduced cancer risk and also protects against skin damage from the sun. To keep the skin moisturised from the inside, you might try eating millet a grain which is rich in mineral salt and silicon (eliminates toxins), or try eating more essential fatty acids found in oily fish like mackerel and sardines. Change your diet to include more of these foods, your skin deserves it!
I’m willing to bet that the rising incidence of skin cancer is not down to the ozone layer alone. Some experts believe that chemicals in some sunscreens actually destroy our skin’s natural mechanism for defending against sun damage. I am also convinced that the general change in diet (a movement away from complex carbohydrates to simple carbohydrates) is partly responsible. Through personal experience I know that changing from a diet high in animal products and/or simple carbohydrates (refined sugar, flour etc) to a diet rich in plant foods will change your complexion. Your skin will actually turn a shade darker - is this nature’s way of helping protect the skin?
Although, you might be considered insane to spend time in the hot sun without any protection I would recommend using less sunscreen and find other ways to prevent wrinkles and skin damage, like covering up. We need the sun like we need oxygen but in either case too much of a good thing can be harmful!
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