Non-Medical Techniques

Non-Medical Techniques: Antioxidants and Sun-block

Although all these treatments have been proven effective, they are not all inexpensive and long-lasting. Preventive practices and measures are still the proven gold standard to keeping father time from making his mark on you and your skin. Antioxidants, sun-block, lotion, keeping well hydrated, and other preventive measures will help make needing surgery or other procedures a distant prospect.

 Green Tea - A Sunblock and an Antioxidant

Green tea is almost a victim of its own success. Its antioxidant properties have become so well known that it appears in just about every lotion and potion out there. Just as we were in danger of becoming complacent, there is a new reason venerate this humble leaf. Scientists have discovered that it is an effective sunscreen - even at low doses.

It has been known for sometime (with a body of literature to back it up) that green tea can protect the skin from UV rays. This is because it contains catechins. These are signaling molecules that belong to the flavenoid family. About 25% of the weight of a tea leaf is accounted for by catechins. The most abundant type of catechin in green tea is called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and this is the one that provides sun protection.

In the past, researchers thought that high doses of topical green tea needed to be applied to have any effect. These solutions have a green brown color and can stain, making them impractical for cosmetic use. Now Swiss researchers have looked at the effects of low concentrations of green tea extracts over a sustained period of time. They concluded that 0.4% extract of green tea applied over a five week period exhibited significant photochemoprotective effects.

This means that every time we slather on our daily antioxidant with its ubiquitous smattering of green tea, we are getting some form of sun protection.

The same catechin is responsible for green tea extract's anti-aging properties. ECGC blocks collagen 'crosslinking' that accelerates the aging of cells. In Korea, researchers applied a 10% concentration of EGCG to aged human skin threetimes a week for six weeks and noted that the result was increased the epidermal thickness.

Drinking green tea daily is credited with everything from weight loss (this seems to be proven) to preventing dental decay. Green tea's preventative effects against cancer are well documented. There is also research that long-term drinking of green tea protects the structure of the erythrocytes membrane in skin cells that are normally disturbed by the process of getting old.

Antioxidants and Sunscreen

The Dynamic Duo

Every skin rejuvenation routine should include this dynamic duo, a powerful antioxidant and sunscreen, to consistently protect and heal the skin from sun damage.

There are a number of ways to incorporate this dynamic duo, antioxidants and sunscreen.

The first is to use a moisturizer with a good quality antioxidant ingredient along with a sunscreen component.

That way every morning when you apply your moisturizer, you also add protection against the sun.

Incorporate anti-aging treatments to nourish and heal the skin while protecting against further damage.

Another option is to layer your skin care treatments. Complete your usual routine but make sure that you include an antioxidant product whether that is a toner or moisturizer.

As your final step, apply a sunscreen or sunblock. Remember that it is critical to reapply regularly throughout the day, especially if you will be spending time out in direct sun.

Daily replenishment of topical antioxidants provides the skin with an arsenal to deflect the assault and minimize the damage created by free radicals is essential.

Topical antioxidants improve skin health

Antioxidants and sunscreen work in concert, reinforcing the other's ability to protect the skin from the potentially damaging effects of the sun.

Sunscreen, as the name implies, screens out the skin damaging rays of the sun while sunblock actually blocks the sun damaging rays from reaching the skin.

A good sun product should screen or block against both UVA and UVB rays. Protecting the skin from the sun significantly reduces free radical activity which thrive in over exposure to sunlight. You don't want that!

Free radicals work to break down the collagen and elastin in the skin which in turn causes the skin to wrinkle, sag, and produce more melanin which in turn increases the occurrence of age spots.

Give your skin the most armor possible by using both antioxidants and sunscreen. That way you will achieve the equivalent protection of a well protected bunker rather than a camouflage net.

What some neglect to do is remember to reapply a sunscreen product every few hours throughout the day. Once a day just isn't enough, especially if you are out in the sun.