There's nothing we don't love about a sunny day. Throw in a cocktail or two on a sunny deck and it'll make our weekend. But before you do, it's a good idea to note that too much of sun isn't the best idea. We've all heard about tanning and sunburns from soaking too much sunshine. But what you may not know is that it could also be ageing your skin quicker than ever!
No, this isn't an awful myth that skin experts discuss in hushed tones. It's called photoaging and it is as real as ever. A common belief is that the inevitable process of ageing only creeps in with time. However, if your bare skin is constantly exposed to the sun, over time, it gets damaged and ages prematurely. That, in a nutshell, is photoaging.
By its very nature, photoaging has no limits-it affects everyone, irrespective of age, skin type or colour. So whether you are 23 or 53, photoaging can be that unpleasant surprise which you least expect. Like its name, the signs of photoaging are identical to those of growing older so you will see the usual suspects-sagging skin, uneven tone, minuscule veins around the nose, discoloured spots and rough, coarse texture.
Now if you are finding any of these signs familiar, you're probably a victim of photoaging. To prevent it from worsening and reverse its damage, start from scratch.
Sun exposure is the cause of photoaging so lessen its blow by slathering the exposed areas of your body with a broad spectrum sunscreen that will protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays. Always sunscreen up, even on days you are indoors.
Avoid stepping out between 10 am - 4 pm because that's when the sun is at its harshest. If you do, a pair of sunglasses and a scarf can help.
Help your skin fight the sun naturally too by gorging on antioxidant-rich foods like berries, avocados and eggs which act as an internal shield against sun damage.
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