Your skin goes through many changes over the years. But while you might blame a sagging jawline and wrinkles on age, about 90 per cent of visible changes to the skin are actually due to sun exposure. Here’s what you should know.
How the sun affects your skin
There are three layers to your skin, namely:
The sun affects the top two layers, and the most immediate change you’ll experience is the darkening of your skin. A suntan occurs when the epidermis produces more melanin in an attempt to protect the deeper layers of skin. Nonetheless, some types of UV rays can penetrate the dermis, damaging collagen fibres and causing the skin to produce abnormal elastin.
This damage to the dermis layer of your skin prompts the creation of certain enzymes meant to rebuild damaged collagen. However, these enzymes often malfunction and can instead degrade the collagen. This is what causes wrinkles, sunspots and other symptoms usually associated with aging.
How to prevent sun damage
Since most signs of aging are associated with sun exposure, it’s easy to keep your skin looking young and supple. Here’s how:
Visit a medical spa to learn more
If the sun has already taken a toll on your skin, it’s not too late to reverse the effects. Visit a Canadian Beauty College medi-spa clinic to speak with a medical esthetics professional or student about the benefits of various skin treatments. Call us today to schedule an appointment or learn about our cosmetology programs.