Did you know that our skin becomes thinner as we get older?

As we age, we may start to notice our skin is thinner than it used to be. Because of this, we may see more dark spots, visible capillaries and pores. Fine lines and wrinkles also become more obvious with thin skin. Skin starts to lack adhesion and elasticity.

The biggest reason why this thinning occurs is because of sun damage.

Sun damage causes 90% of visible aging. How much damage our skin gets varies depending on exposure time as well as genetic background. Those of us with lighter skin receive more sun damage because we have red melanin. Those with more brown melanin receive less damage. This is because brown melanin is able to absorb all of the UV radiation without becoming a free radical. This helps to explain why those of us with lighter skin tones tend to have more fine lines and wrinkles and thin skin than our darker skinned friends.

The UVA rays which are responsible for aging are active all year round, even when we are not getting a sun burn! They are active despite the wether and season.  They penetrate through the clouds and even through the window, for instance when you are driving. This means that applying a physical block sunscreen even in the fall and winter months is crucial to protecting oneself from the sun’s damaging effects.

The UVA rays are able to penetrate into our dermis, the thickest layer of skin. These UV rays break down structural proteins, leading to more lines and wrinkles and thin skin. One way to help prevent this is by wearing a physical block sunscreen on a daily basis.
Many clients say their main reason for not wearing sunscreen is that they cannot find one that feels comfortable. We are grateful to the team at TiZo for creating an effective as well as wearable line of broad spectrum protection. It feels very light on the skin and comes in both tinted and non-tinted formulas. Environ’s sunscreen is another wonderful option and is especially suitable for those with dry skin.