How Does Sunscreen Work?

By combining organic and inorganic active ingredients.

Sunscreen works by combining organic and inorganic active ingredients. Inorganic ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium oxide reflect or scatter ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Organic ingredients like octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC) or oxybenzone absorb UV radiation, dissipating it as heat. Some sunscreens protect us from the two types of damaging UV radiation: UV-A and UV-B. Both UV-A and UV-B cause sunburns and damaging effects such as skin cancer.

Ultraviolet radiation is broken into three types of wavelengths:

• UV-A: This is the longest wavelength and is not absorbed by the ozone. It penetrates the skin deeper than UV-B.
• UV-B: Responsible for sunburns. It is partially blocked by the ozone layer.
• UV-C: This is totally absorbed by the earth's atmosphere; we encounter it only from artificial radiation sources.

When purchasing sunscreen, the Sun Protection Factor or SPF measures how effectively the sunscreen formula limits skin exposure to UV-B rays that burn the skin. The higher the SPF the more protection the sunscreen will provide against UV-B rays. SPF does not measure UV-A. If you are looking for UV-A protection, the experts recommend that you purchase a product that has broad-spectrum protection.

source : loc.gov

What Are The Adverse Effects Of Sunbathing

Sunbathing, during which person sits or lies under direct sunshine, has contemporaneously come to be acknowledged as a fashionable leisurely activity. People usually prefer to sunbathe in scenic places where there is abundant sunlight, such as beaches, swimming pools, parks, and gardens. They tend to wear limited amounts of clothing such as swimsuits; indeed, some even prefer to go nude, this contention being a result of the fact that the primary purpose for sunbathing [especially in western regions] is to darken or tan their skin.

Some people, however, tend to sunbathe excessively, and this, especially when the adequate safety measures aren’t adhered to, leads them to suffer from sunburns. Sunburns are caused by the biologically harmful ultraviolet [UV] rays of the sun. It is now known that solar radiation, when speaking in terms of the consequences of exposure, is one of the primary sources of sunburn. Moreover, excessive exposure to these rays also contributes to other adverse effects such as the suppression of cellular resistance in terms of short term impacts and photo aging and skin cancer in concern to long term impacts. In addition to the already mentioned impacts of UV, other effects include:

Various Effects Of Ultra Violet Rays On Human Skin;

• Sunstroke
• Prickly heat
• Dehydration
• Premature [skin] Ageing

It would important to here acknowledge that although sunlight generically indicates health, it is also linked to all types of skin cancers caused by radiation. And while not all people are equally at risk, those at substantially more of a risk tend to be fair skinned and and/or have family histories of sensitive skin types. The presence of large number of freckles is also one of the more common indicators of an individual’s sensitivity towards the sun. Sunburns usually involve painful red or peeling skin, rash, nausea, fever and an increased risk of skin cancer. Consequently, people sunburns must wear long sleeved shirts and use hat or umbrella when they go in the sun rays as this prevents them from experiencing further deterioration. And while sunscreens or Sun blocks are also good sources of skin protection, it is important that the eye not be neglected; wrap around sunglasses which effectually block the suns rays are useful in this case.

Benefits Of Exposure To Sunlinght

However, there is evidence that the probable benefits of exposure to sunlight can be more important than the generally adverse affects on the incidence of skin cancer. For many people the small increase of the content of melanoma in the skin could easily outweigh the harmful effects in as much as the effect that sunshine has on mood. Behavioral changes could reduce the incidence of skin cancer. It is of utmost importance though, to keep in mind that people must avoid the midday sun, wearing appropriate clothing and a sun sunscreen. It is also advisable to avoid the sunbeds that are used for cosmetic tanning.

If you are a patient suffering from sunburns, it is essential to be cautious about sun exposure, especially if you are taking medication. This is since the combination of some medicines and sunlight can reduce the time essential to help rashes, skin aging, or very serious consequences like cataracts, blood vessel damage, and skin cancer. Certain drugs can also increase you sensitivity to light, raising the chance that these adverse reaction will occur.

source : always-health.com

Skin Structure and Functions Tips

Skin forms the largest organ of the body, comprising of almost 20 square feet (in most adults) and accounting for about 16 per cent of a person’s weight. Apart from the startling facts we also need to understand the important functions that our skin performs round the clock:

• It performs many vital roles as both as a shield and a regulating influence between the outside world and the controlled environment within our bodies.
• It regulates the body temperature. Internal body temperature is controlled through several processes, including the combined actions of sweat production and the rate of blood flowing through the network of blood vessels within the skin.
• It helps in eliminating the toxic waste products and water from the body. Poor elimination leads to sallow and dull complexion, swelling all over the body and aggravation of acne.
• In very cold conditions skin blood flow drops very low, retaining heat in the center of the body and preserving the flow of warm blood to the vital organs within the chest and abdomen and to the brain.
• The physical toughness of the skin prevents the intrusion of harmful chemicals and invading organisms such as bacteria and viruses.
• Maintains the moisture level of the skin by discharging perspiration and the oily sebaceous material that is the skin's best lubricant.
• It also provides resistance to shocks for the more sensitive tissues underneath. At the same time however skin needs to be supple and be able to stretch to accommodate movement.
• Skin exposed to sunlight is the main site of manufacture of vitamin D, which is essential for the growth and maintenance of our bones.

The nerve ending under the skin makes us aware of heat, cold, pain and pleasurable sensations. Sensation helps us to react. How? The extensive network of nerves within the skin feeds continuous information to the brain concerning our surroundings.

Phew! Quite an awesome task for the layering we call skin, but how does it handle all these tasks - you ask? Here’s how:

• The skin comprises of three layers-the epidermis, the dermis and the hypodermis. A detailed description will help us understand these important layers of the skin:
• The outer layer is the epidermis - the part we see and touch. It is composed of the main skin cell called the keratinocyte, thus named because it produces a tough protein called keratin and a basal cell layer underneath where the new cells are manufactured. The new cells move upwards to the surface where they expire and then are exfoliated. Melanin cells, which are responsible for freckles and darkening the skin's color due to the ultraviolet rays in sunlight, are also in the dermis. The epidermis has no blood vessels or nerves.
• The dermis is made up of connective tissues, which include collagen protein and elastic fibers (elastic type protein). The connective tissues form a valuable support system to the skin. It is in this layer that the majority of the skin's aging process takes place. The sweat glands, the oil glands, the nerve endings and receptors, blood vessels, arrector pili muscles and a major portion of hair follicles are also located in the dermis.
• The hypodermis or sub-dermis is a subcutaneous tissue or fatty layer situated below the dermis. It influences the quality of our skin's appearance. A dramatic loss of weight causes the skin to sag and too much fat or water retention in the skin's tissue makes the skin stretch and dimple. The hypodermis is a cushion for the skin. It acts as a shock absorber to protect the bones and to help support the delicate structures, such as blood vessels, nerve endings and hair bulbs. The layer gives contour and shape to the body and acts as an emergency reservoir of food and water.
• There are two sets of glands found in the dermis the sweat glands and the oil glands. The sweat glands are employed in the elimination of the water-soluble cellular waste. The oil glands secrete oil, which lubricates the skin surface. This prevents the skin from excessive dryness and chapping. Blockages, congestion, over activity or under activity of these two sets of glands are considered the primary causes of our numerous skin problems.

source : skin-care-at-home.com

Skin Care Tips For Men

Follow these mens skin care tips and male skin care advice to have a skin to be proud of.

1- Clean the skin every day, morning and night with specific products to get rid of dirt.

2- Moisturize every day to protect the skin from external factors and dryness.

3- If you are serious about man skin care , use sunblock every day of the year, as the sun is the major factor that causes aging skin. Some man skin care products incorporate sunscreen to their formulas. Make sure it has a high SPF and that protects from ultraviolet light.

4- Use a nutritive product during the night to regenerate the skin.

5- Use a specific product to protect the area around the eyes.

6- Use mens anti aging skin care products, aimed at your age group. The moisturizer that you use during the day, or the nutritive during the night can at the same time, act as anti aging. Ask in the beauty counter about the skin care ingredients that the product may contain.

7- Apply an specific product before shaving and a moisturizing lotion after. Try to shave after the shower, use a quality razor and change the razor's blades regularly.

8- Apply a skin exfoliator, at least once a week to get rid of dead cells and excess of oil. It will also help with cellular renovation and to avoid the appearance of spots.

source : anti-aging-skin-care-guide.com