Does sunscreen provide complete protection?

The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of a sunscreen formula states the effectiveness of this cream when applied at an even layer of 2 milligrams per square centimeter, for blocking the effect of UV sunrays that cause sunburns. The SPF level is defined by comparing the effect of exposure to the sun causing burns to a body area with the evaluated sunscreen compared to the burns to a non coated area. SPF 15 means that compared to a body area without sunscreen, the area with sunscreen will require 15 times more UV to be equally burned compared to the same area without sunscreen.
SPF is evaluated per 2 milligrams of sunscreen per square centimeter, unfortunately most people apply less sunscreen than needed. This causes the SPF value to be reduced dramatically hence the person thinks he/she is protected but in reality the effectiveness of the sunscreen is reduced. Thinking that you are protected when in reality you are not is very dangerous as you might linger in the sun for longer.
Another problem with sunscreens is the fact that many of them protect mostly against skin burning, caused by UV-B.  There are three types of UV rays emitted from the sun, the skin cancer foundation has a good explanation about UV classification on their web site. The different types of UV are: UV-A, UV-B and UV-C. Both UV-A and UV-B pass the ozone layer and reach the earth, most of the UV-C is absorbed by the ozone layer and does not reach us.
UV-A is the most dominant UV radiation reaching us from the sun. It is present throughout the year and during all day light hours. UV-A penetrates glass and clouds and has a deeper penetration depth into the skin than does UV-B. UV-A is a main inducer of skin ageing, wrinkles and skin cancer. It is the main contributor to tanning, it does so by inducing changes in the cell’s DNA, the skin darkens due to synthesis of melanin to protect the skin from further damage form the UV exposure. Tanning salons use mostly UV-A as the tanning source, the intensity in the salons can be 12 times higher than the natural UV-A levels from the sun.
UV-B penetration depth to the skin is superficial and it plays a major role in skin burning. As apposed to UV-A, UV-B is present in lower levels during different hours of the day, different seasons and various locations on earth and it does not penetrate glass. Similar to UV-A, UV-B contributes to skin cancer, and skin ageing.
Sunscreens were created originally to prevent skin burning and to block mainly UV-B. In recent years manufactures of sunscreens have added UV-A protection too, however the level of protection from UV-A is not included in the SPF classification. It is important to verify, when purchasing a sun block, if the formula claims to protect from UV-A and UV-B. If not specified it is probably UV-B protection only.
The problem with sunscreen is that people feel protected from the damaging rays of the sun while they really are not safe. Most people will assume that if they apply sunscreen on exposed areas, they can allow themselves to walk freely in the sun during the extreme UV hours (10AM-4PM). This is a very dangerous assumption as applying the sunscreen needs to be in the correct amount and the sunscreen needs to be of good protection values. In addition, no sunscreen provides complete protection and it is wise to always stay away from exposure during the extreme hours mentioned above.
Another misconception is that after about 4PM and in early morning hours (6AM-10AM) there is no need for sunscreen as the UV radiation is lower. Very wrong assumption! As mentioned above, UV-A is present most hours of the day, so be ware!
Most people are not aware that they need to apply sunscreen when driving or sitting in a car, or if sitting in front of a sunny window at home, the windows will not protect you, (unless they are coated with a UV protection film).
Below are the Prevention Guidelines of the Skin Cancer Foundation for wise protection from the sun:

“Prevention Guidelines
•    Seek the shade, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM.
•    Do not burn.
•    Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths.
•    Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
•    Use a sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or higher every day.
•    Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours, or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.
•    Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months.
•    Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.
•    See your physician every year for a professional skin exam.”

If your skin has been damaged by years of exposure to the sun’s damaging rays you might be happy to learn that you can help reduce the damage by treatments offered by various technologies. Sun spots (liver spots) can be removed by skin resurfacing technologies and photo-rejuvenation technologies. In addition, a RF technology exists, that targets reduction of wrinkles, collagen regeneration, skin tightening that improves skin texture and lessens the ill affects caused by UV radiation.  For example, TriPollar RF treatments, have been proven to effectivly reduce wrinkles and tighten the skin.  TriPollar based products are maufactured exclusively by Pollogen Ltd.    You do not have to wait till you are in your forties or later to begin treatments; the earlier you begin the better.
To finalize this write up, it would be nice if we adopted the fashion of un-tanned skin as our ancestors admired during the renaissance and earlier periods. Of course this should not include the discrimination against darker color skin that accompanied the earlier age admiration of non tanned skin.
And finally, if you do spend significant time in the sun, make sure to follow the guidelines mentioned above and minimize the damage to your skin.

Aging is unavoidable fact of life – everyday we are all getting older. However, it is not age itself that bothers us, but the visible signs of aging that can make us feel old despite the fact that we feel young and vital. The health and look of our skin – whether on our face or on our body – plays a significant part in how old we feel and is seen as the most common indicator to others of our age. Facial wrinkles,  neck décolletage and hands are one of the most visible signs of skin aging. Over time they tend to get more visible. Wrinkles aren’t an illness! But wrinkles can alter the way we look, and this may change the way we feel about ourselves. Wrinkles usually start as fine lines. They tend to get deeper over time. Wrinkles are often noticeable on the face. Lines tend to form on the face in the places our skin folds when we smile or make other facial expressions.
 

The aging process of the skin occurs in two different ways, (Intrinsic and Extrinsic skin aging). Intrinsic aging is what we get from our parents and is inevitable and pre-determined. The skin will become thinner, less elastic and essentially dryer as a consequence of skin aging. This is a direct result of a reduction in the overall production of collagen. This decrease combined with gravitation will lead to sagging of the skin.
Skin will become dryer as a consequence of aging because the dermis is stripped of its ability to retain moisture. In addition, the process will lead to a substantial reduction in the sweat glands and sebaceous glands, all of which ordinarily lead to moist, plump skin.
Although the extent of the process will vary, skin aging will predominantly become apparent at age 30.
Extrinsic aging is associated with exposure to various toxins and environmental elements. The foremost and most detrimental element is the sun. UV sun rays associated aging, often known as ‘photo aging’ will cause a number of fine lines on the face, wrinkles, age spots, freckles, enlarged pores, broken capillaries and rough, uneven skin tone.

Infrared (IR) radiation

 Infrared (IR) radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation whose wavelength is longer than that of visible light. The name means below red. Visible red light is the color of the longest wavelengths of visible light that we can see with naked eyes.

IR radiation is divided into 3 different bands according to wavelength:

• IR-A: 700 nm–1400 nm (Near-infrared)
• IR-B: 1400 nm–3000 nm
• IR-C: 3000 nm–1 mm

Infrared radiation is popularly known as “heat” or sometimes “heat radiation”, since many people attribute all radiant heating to infrared light and/or to all infrared radiation to being a result of heating.

Infra Red Laser Skin Tightening
In the last 10 years various non-invasive and non surgical treatments modalities have been developed for aging skin. Most of the advanced dermatology clinics are using lasers, radiofrequency (RF), IR lasers and a combination of the above to treat aging skin. All these methods are aiming to heat the deep skin layer in order to shrink redundant or lax connective tissues through the mechanism of collagen denaturation.

How does Infra-red laser work on aging skin?

Infra-red laser utilizes infrared light to heat the dermis well below the skin’s surface by heating up the water content in the skin. This heating can cause immediate collagen contraction by the denaturization of collagen. During the procedure, the outer skin’s surface (epidermis) must be protected through continuous cooling by means of active cooling. After the procedure, new collagen growth results in further tightening and the development of a more youthful, complexion with less fine lines, folds or looseness of the skin. People with dark skin should avoid the treatment.
  

Who should not undergo this procedure?

There are various contraindications which are similar to other light based technologies such as:
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are not suitable candidates.

Since the treatment heats the tissue under the skin’s surface by Infra-red light, dark skin absorbs most of the energy in the uppermost skin layer, which can cause burns. In such cases RF procedures are optimal since RF is considered as ‘color blind’ technology which is suitable also for dark skin type and color.  
Large areas of loose or redundant skin, such as after massive weight-loss may be better suited for TriPollar RF treatments or for surgical approaches in severe cases.
 
Also, until further studies have been carried out it is advisable not to have treatment directly over dermal filler products.
 

 
What sort of practitioner can perform this treatment?

Only suitably trained medical professionals should perform infrared laser skin tightening procedures.  

For more information see also: Titan™ skin tightening review