Sunrise, Sunset: The Dawn of a New Age in Skincare
Sunrise, Sunset: The Dawn of a New Age in Skincare
With great summer weather and love of outdoor activities, Northwest residents are extremely susceptible to the sun’s damaging rays. What many Northwesterners fail to realize is that they are at greater risk for photo damage from the sun because much of the exposure occurs under cloudy skies. That, combined with casual attitudes toward sunscreen, makes them particularly vulnerable to photo-aging. Age spots, wrinkles, Rosacea and enlarged pores are all telltale signs of sun damage.
The big news in skincare today revolves around two important concepts: primary prevention of wrinkles through the use of appropriate sunscreens, and skin rejuvenation to reverse existing photo damage. Thanks to revolutionary treatments, people can now erase years of youthful sun worship with effective and safe procedures - minus surgery, scars or downtime.
The sun’s rays are made up of Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation. There are two types of rays - UV-A and UV-B rays. Most Baby Boomers are familiar with the UV-B rays, which caused the burn from sun. Many were even lulled into thinking the new tanning beds of the 80s utilizing only UV-A rays were safe. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as safe sun unless it comes from a bottle. The UV-A rays are just as damaging to the skin and do their harm at an even deeper level. Therefore, proper sunscreen is key to preventing damage from the sun.
Sun Protection Factor, or SPF, is a number derived from the chemicals in the sunscreen that absorb UV radiation on the surface of the skin. The idea that a higher SPF allows people to stay in the sun for longer periods of time is true only to a point since the SPF number refers to the UV-B (or burning rays) only. It is not an accurate estimate of protection from harmful UV-A rays. This is where consumers need to dig deeper to fully understand sunscreens and their ingredients.
Sunscreen ingredients such as Oxybenzone are similar to sponges. Picture how an application of sunscreen containing these ingredients could be like applying a layer of sponges to the skin - the higher the SPF the thicker the layer of sponges for protection. When the sponges have been saturated with UV-B radiation, the sunscreen should be re-applied. Unfortunately, it has been recently shown that UV radiation sitting on the surface of the skin in the form of a “saturated sponge” is not a good thing. Free radical damage occurs from radiation being “trapped” on the skin. Rather than entrapment, the sun’s radiation should be deflected.
Physical barrier sunscreens provide that deflection. Picture a mirror being placed on the surface of the skin deflecting the sun’s rays away from the body. The rays hit the skin’s surface and are immediately turned away. This kind of protection is especially important when doing water activities or snow sports where the sun’s radiation effect is intensified. There are two ingredients that can do this: Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide.
Zinc Oxide, the best known physical barrier sunscreen, was once associated with white stripes on the faces of lifeguards and children at the beach, but no longer. There is now clear Zinc Oxide, and it is by far the most effective and important ingredient in sunscreens today. Titanium Dioxide is also a physical barrier, but is not effective against all UV-A rays. The full spectrum of ultraviolet radiation is completely deflected by Zinc Oxide.
Finding the right sunscreen can take some work. Most physicians carry products in their offices that contain Zinc Oxide, which can be expensive when used for the whole body. A good alternative is to use a high-end product (such as Epionce® SPF 29) on the face, chest and hands, therefore getting excellent full-spectrum protection on the body’s delicate areas of skin. Men with thinning hair need sunscreen on their scalp as well. And don’t forget to protect the ears, where many skin cancers appear. For the body, also use a Zinc Oxide-based product for optimal protection.
Finally, for those who have already sustained the effects of years in the sun, the correction of photo damage is becoming easier and more effective. (Hopefully, not everyone used the baby oil and aluminum foil tactic employed in the 70s. It was a contest to see who would have the best tan by the weekend.) The professionals at the VanderVeer Center specialize in turning back the hands of time through a variety of treatments that target specific needs, goals and budgets - without surgery, scars or downtime. This is important since patients in the Northwest say they want a healthy and natural look. Most aren’t interesting in looking as if they’ve gone under the knife - they just want to appear youthful and vibrant at any age.
Men and women of all ages can enjoy the benefits of skin rejuvenation at the VanderVeer Center. During a complimentary consultation, an esthetician and member of the medical staff will evaluate the skin’s particular needs, then custom-design a program to start the journey of erasing the years.
Along with expert technicians, the VanderVeer Center offers the latest in technology. Intense Pulsed Light, or IPL, has become the gold standard in reversing aging effects of the sun. The Center has two I2PL machines - the second generation of machine that produces incredible results. Through a series of treatments, patients see continued improvement in their appearance by removing Rosacea, age spots, and erasing fine lines. Men and women find this procedure to be safe, effective and most importantly, without disruption of their busy lives.
Photofacial Rejuvenation, or IPL, is a fantastic treatment to add to a personal rejuvenation program. At VanderVeer Center, clients also receive a complete skin type analysis, samples of skincare product, and of course, sunscreen!
Most people today have a different attitude towards exposure to the sun and repairing the sun’s damage. For example, people are far more likely to reach for the tan-in-a-bottle or sunscreen than to lie on a beach all day. The Center staff suggests taking care of faces and bodies much like that of cars and homes - regular maintenance visits with anti-aging physicians on a more routine basis in order to prevent the need for a complete overhaul later on. This maintenance system is not only a more practical way to approach image enhancement, but it is far more affordable and subtle.
With today’s products and technology, everyone can look as young as they feel. So, enjoy summer and wear sunscreen — even on cloudy days!
Elizabeth VanderVeer is a Board Certified Physician and Owner/Medical Director of the VanderVeer Center, Oregon’s leading provider of anti-aging medicine and cosmetic procedures. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 503-443-2250, send an e-mail to info@vanderveercenter.com or visit www.vanderveercenter.com.
