What Your Skin Thinks About the Sun!

Among the things that do our mental health a world of good, getting outside, seeing the sun, and getting some fresh air are high on the list of health specialists' recommendations.

Dermatologists and their teams will always add, “Yes, but never without your sun protection!” Because while the sun increases our happy hormones, its effect on our skin is not nearly as positive.

Beyond UVA and UVB

For years, we have been warned about ultraviolet rays (UVA and UVB) and for good reason: they penetrate the upper layer of the skin to reach the lower layers where they damage or destroy cells.

But did you know that the sun also emits “blue light” of the same type that is emitted by the various screens of electronic devices or by LED bulbs? In the case of the sun, the emissions are 1,000 times more intense. You would have to sit for 64 full consecutive days in front of your computer screen or tablet to absorb as much blue light as you would from one hour of exposure to the sun.

Blue light changes the natural functioning of the dermis, slows down the production of collagen and elastin, and promotes cell oxidation, which means the skin will have more difficulty regenerating itself later. Basically, blue light makes us age faster.

Sunscreens protect against blue light. Some experts recommend applying sun protection when our screen exposure exceeds two hours. Instead, at Figurra, we reiterate to apply sunscreen every day, even if you don't spend much time in front of a screen or don't see the sun. The rays sneak in just about everywhere.

When the Damage Is Done

As in other health areas, prevention is always the best course of action. It is also recommended not to wait too long to undertake anti-aging treatments and photorejuvenation.

These are the terms used for the broad range of treatments that aim to reverse the aging effects of the sun.

Sun damage manifests itself in different ways:

• Brown or red spots
• Redness
• Facial blood vessels
• Enlarged pores
• Fine lines and wrinkles

Lasers/pulsed light and peels have proven themselves in the treatment of sun damage.

Because everyone has a different story and a different skin type, we invite you to schedule a consultation with a member of our team. After an assessment of your skin and a discussion of your desired results, we can tailor a solution for you.

Your Figurra Team