In the ongoing quest for beautiful skin, it is fascinating to learn that most people overlook sun protection (SPF) as part of their daily skin care routine. Sun protection is paramount and without it, all the time and money spent to keep the skin youthful and radiant is lost. Sun protection joins the ranks of retinoids (Vitamin A), chemical peels and skin needling in the pursuit of anti-aging.
It is well known that UV radiation leads to DNA damage, which leads to a decline in the skin’s health, functionality and of course speeding the natural aging process that presents topically on the skin. So to understand why we need sun protection, and a well formulated one to guard against UVA and UVB, we first must learn how it works as both defence, and restoration.
Exposure to ultra violet radiation (UVR) is a well-documented health hazard. The ultraviolet spectrum is divided into the following key regions: UVC, UBV, UVAII and UVAI. The ozone layer protects humans from damage against UVC rays, but not UBV and UVA rays. UVB rays are known for causing burning, while UVA rays are now known for causing photoaging. Photoaging is the term given to damage to the skin caused by the sun and presents as wrinkles, dark blotches, freckles, leathery texture, and loss of elasticity. UVA rays penetrate the skin’s surface, invading the layers below and eventually destroy the collagen and elastin that provides the skin it’s firm, plump texture and elasticity.
It is also important to understand the difference between sunscreen and sunblock. Any sun protection product with an SPF of 2 or higher is considered a sunscreen, and any sun protection product that contains a physical sunscreen ingredient and an SPF of 12 or higher is considered a sunblock.
There is only one sunscreen and sunblock ingredient that successfully protects against all three types of ultraviolet radiation, and that is zinc oxide. The skin health industry labels ingredients used as either chemical or physical. Understanding the difference is determined by how the ingredients behave on the skin. Chemical sun protection ingredients typically are absorbed into the epidermis, whereas physical ingredients lie on top of the skin’s surface and are not absorbed. With the new generation of technologies, the majority of companies who pride themselves on a beneficial manufacture of sun protection and sunscreen products have found a way to combine the two to maximise on the functionality of the sun protection on the skin.
Sunscreen protects the skin, both superficially and on a deeper level, as well as preventing aging by minimizing UV damage and blocking or decreasing the formation of free radicals and inflammation.
At Lauren Wood Skin Clinic, we always ensure our clients have access to the safest, most active and highest grade formulations available on the market, all of which are up to regulatory standards; and sun protection is no different. In our endeavour to seek out the best, we proudly recommend and stock Dr Ronald Moy DNA Renewal.
With Dr Ronald Moy’s ground breaking research of the DNA Repair Enzyme, the SPF within the range is a broad spectrum, multifaceted moisturiser with sun protection that helps reverse and protect against photo damage while reversing sun damage with DNA Repair Enzymes. It’s a fast absorbing, non-greasy formula and contains an infusion of antioxidants such as Vitamin A and E for additional defence against free radicals, and guards against both UVA and UVB damage.