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You have probably noticed that people age differently. Some people reach their fifth decade of life with relatively soft and smooth skin, while others in their thirties begin to show deep lines, wrinkles and sagging on their faces. One of the causes of this situation is photoaging.
In this new blog post we will tell you what photoaging is, how to avoid it and how to counteract it.
Photoaging is a gradual and irreversible deterioration of collagen, elastin and other fibers that give firmness to the skin, keep it smooth and help it to repair itself. The main cause of photoaging is unprotected sun exposure, since solar radiation exacerbates the effect of aging and harmful habits such as smoking and constant sleeplessness.
Sunbathing helps synthesize vitamin D, which is important for our body. However, this exposure should be limited to around 10 minutes, and for longer periods, sunscreen, a cap, a hat, an umbrella or long sleeved clothing should be used in order to protect the skin from solar radiation.
Photoaging usually affects the parts of the body most exposed to solar radiation: the hands, arms and face. This is because the energy generated by the sun is transferred as electromagnetic waves that propagate in different directions; this is called solar radiation.
About two thirds of solar radiation reaches the Earth’s surface. Of these, only 50% is light visible to the human eye, and the remaining 50% consists of types of radiation that penetrate the skin, such as:
It is 7% of solar radiation, but it is also the main responsible for photoaging. It is divided into three bands: A, B and C. The atmosphere filters most of the B and C, which means that UVA rays are the ones that reach our skin, and have the ability to penetrate the deepest layers to damage collagen and elastin fibers, in addition to participating in some skin cancers.
For its part, UVB radiation has more energy, causes burns in the skin´s first and is responsible for most types of skin cancer.
As we mentioned, it is 50% of radiation and it is also responsible for 40% of the damage that the sun causes on the skin since it weakens the epidermis barrier and produces hyperpigmentation or spots on the skin.
Although its effect is not felt when it passes through the skin, it is the type of radiation that penetrates the most, since it can enter up to 10 mm below the skin and increase the temperature up to 42°C. It is a radiation that is related to damage to the DNA of cells, precancerous lesions and skin cancer.
The signs of photoaging are usually observed in the areas most exposed to the sun: face, scalp, neck, neckline, back of the hands and forearms, and are:
Biological or chronological aging is an inevitable process, which occurs naturally and is usually determined by genetics. It usually manifests itself with thin, sagging skin, uniform pigmentation, fine lines and superficial wrinkles, small red dots and small brown spots with a round shape and a scaly appearance.
Photoaging can become irreversible if action is not taken in time in order to combat it, that is, before serious skin lesions begin to appear.
Dermal fillers with hyaluronic acid and botulinum toxin, facial lifting and facial radiofrequency are the most recommended treatments to combat photoaging. But, above all, it is essential to visit the doctor for an assessment so that he can recommend the best treatment based on the phototype of the skin, the age of the patient, the severity of the injuries and the goals to be achieved.
If you live in the US and are looking for a more accessible option to combat photoaging, Mexico is a country where you will find a wide variety of specialists who use cutting edge technology and have bilingual staff to provide you with high quality care.
Dr. Juan Gordillo is a plastic surgeon in Guadalajara specialist in rhinoplasty, liposculpture, otoplasty, blepharoplasty and bichectomy. Schedule your assessment appointment and check it out.
Centro Médico Puerta de Hierro Sur
5th Floor Suite 53
Av. Adolfo López Mateos Sur 1401.
45645 Guadalajara Jalisco. México
Dr. Juan Gordillo Hernandez. All Rights Reserved © 2024
