ANTIOXIDANT AND FREE RADICAL DAMAGE

ANTIOXIDANT AND FREE RADICAL DAMAGE


ANTIOXIDANTS
Antioxidants are substances that are capable of counteracting the
damaging effects of the physiological process of oxidation.
Antioxidants are nutrients (vitamins and minerals) as well as enzymes(proteins in your body that assist in chemical reactions).
Antioxidant is an essential ingredient for any good moisturizer, they have the ability to reduce or prevent some amount of the oxidative damage and daily inflammation that destroys and depletes the skin's function and structure over time.
Free-radical damage is what antioxidants are supposed to prevent or take care of.
Antioxidants block the process of oxidation by neutralizing free radicals. In doing so, the antioxidants themselves become oxidized.
Free-radical damage is bad for the skin.Free-radical damage can cause deterioration of the skin's support structures (collagen and elastin) thus causing wrinkling.

The presence of antioxidants in the diet, and the topical application of antioxidants in skin-care products, plays a part in slowing down free-radical damage. Antioxidants are ingredients such as vitamins A, C, and E, superoxide dismutase, flavonoids, beta carotene, glutathione selenium,and zinc.

FREE RADICALS

They are just like parasites breathing on healthy skin cells and eventually destroying them.
Free radicals are chemically active atom or molecular fragments that have a charge due to an excess or deficient number of electrons. Free radicals containing oxygen, known as reactive oxygen species (ROS),are the most biologically significant free radicals. ROS include the radical's superoxide and hydroxyl radical, plus derivatives of oxygen that do not contain unpaired electrons, such as hydrogen peroxide,singlet oxygen, and hypochlorous acid. Because they have one or more unpaired electrons, free radicals are highly unstable. They scavenge your body to grab or donate electrons, thereby damaging cells,proteins and DNA (genetic material).
The same oxidative process also causes oils to become rancid, peeled apples to turn brown, and iron to rust.
It is only possible up to certain extent to avoid damage by free
radicals. Free radicals arise from sources both inside and outside our bodies. Oxidants that develop from processes within our bodies form as a result of normal, metabolism, respiration and inflammation.
From environmental factors such as pollution,sunlight ,X;ray,smoking and alcohol.

Proof of premature aging due to unprotected sun exposure

PROOF OF PREMATURE AGING DUE TO SUN EXPOSURE AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOURSELF.

Sun damage produces most of the skin changes that people commonly associate with aging. Long-term exposure to the ultraviolet radiation in sunlight is responsible for fine and coarse wrinkles, irregular pigmentation, brown and red spots, and the rough texture of sun-exposed skin.

Sun emits UV radiation

UVB radiation is the sun's burning ray and has an immediate, harmful impact on skin. Damage from UVB rays takes place within the very first minute (yes, 60 seconds) of walking outside.

UVA rays are the sun's aging rays. You don't feel them but they are the primary cause of skin cancer, wrinkles, and a weakened immune system.
Penetrate much deeper in the skin till the dermis where the collagen and elastic tissue are present, they break down collagen and elastic and thus causing wrinkling.

In a recent study discussed in the December 2009 edition of the Archives of Dermatology, it was proven that smoking and unprotected sun exposures are the two main causes of premature aging.
Twin study identifies factors associated with skin aging

ScienceDaily (2009-12-22) -- Smoking, being heavier, not using sunscreen and having had skin cancer appear to be associated with sun damage and aging of skin on the face, according to a report based on a study of twins. ... > read full article

FACTS ABOUT SUN PROTECTION
 There is no such thing as a safe tan, whether it is from the sun or a tanning booth.
 Even on a cloudy or hazy day, the sun's rays are present.
 UVA rays can get through windows. Normal glass doesn’t protect skin from UVA damage.

What you can do to protect yourself by sun damage?

Wear a broad spectrum (provides full both UVA and UVB protection sunscreen 365 years a day.
For whether the sunscreen is broad spectrum you have to check the active ingredient list ,UVA protection depends on the active ingredients in the product you are using so be sure one or more of following active ingredients should be in the active ingriedient list:

zinc oxide
titanium dioxide
avobenzone (which may also be listed as Parsol 1789 or butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane)

Mexoryl SX (ecamsule)

What SPF numbers tell?

SPF is important, but it is only a measurement of sunburn (UVB) rays.
An SPF 10 filters out about 85% of UVB rays; an SPF 15 stops about 95%; and an SPF 30 stops about 97%. An SPF that's higher than 30 does not provide any more UV protection, it just offers more time that you can stay in the sun without burning. Even if you choose to wear a higher SPF product, you still need to reapply after swimming or perspiring to ensure continued protection.

As a general rule it is best to apply sunscreen at least 15 to 20 minutes before sun exposure. This gives the sunscreen time to absorb and to spread over and into the uppermost layers of skin.

Recognized sunscreens by canadian dermatology association are as follow.

Aveeno BabySunblock Lotion SPF 55
Aveeno Active Naturals Sunblock Lotion SPF 30
Aveeno Active Naturals Sunblock Lotion SPF 45
Aveeno Active Naturals Sunblock Lotion SPF 55
Aveeno Active Naturals Sunscreen Lotion Face SPF 60
Aveeno Active Naturals Positively Sunscreen Lotion Face SPF 60

Banana Boat Baby Tear-Free Sunblock UVA & UVB SPF 50
Banana Boat Kids Tear Free Sunblock UVA & UVB SPF 50
Banana Boat Ultra Defense Sunscreen SPF 15
Banana Boat Ultra Defense Sunscreen SPF 30
Banana Boat Ultra Defense Sunscreen SPF 50

Coppertone General Protection Sunscreen Lotion SPF 60
Coppertone Kids Sunscreen Lotion SPF 60
Coppertone NutraShield with Dual Defense SPF 30
Coppertone NutraShield with Dual Defense SPF 60
Coppertone NutraShield with Dual Defense Face SPF 60
Coppertone Oil Free Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
Coppertone Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen Lotion SPF 60

Exact Cooling and Refreshing Clear Continuous Spray Sunscreen SPF 45

DIFFERENT TYPES OF SKIN


NORMAL SKIN
 It is a smooth textured and evenly toned with tiny pores. Balanced skin types have balanced moisture (water) and sebum (oil) content.

OILY SKIN
This type of skin has over reactive sebaceous (oil-producing) glands,which makes the face shiny especially down the central panel-your nose, forehead and chin. The pores of this skin type are enlarged making it prone to blackheads, pimple and Acne.


COMBINATION SKIN
It is very common and requires separate treatment for each area. It is oily down the central panel and dry on the cheeks. This type of skin lacks water (moisture) and have slightly under active sweat (water) producing glands, its oily down the central panel because T-zone have much sebaceous (oil) producing glands as compare to the rest of the face and oil sits at top of the water (moisture) so it doesn’t evaporate and rest of the face gets drier because there is less oil and water gets evaporated easily especially in winter.


DRY SKIN
This type of skin lacks both sebum (oil) and moisture (Water). It looks fine textured, dry. This type of skin flakes and chaps easily compared to other skin types. Tiny expression lines may be obvious.


SENSITIVE OR ALLERGY PRONE SKIN
This type of skin reacts externally and internally to changes in life. Can be both oily and dry, it can be easily disturbed by skin care products and cosmetics. It tends to go blotchy and have broken veins at the same time; it might show a flushed or reddened look or might even itch.

Skin

SKIN IS THE LARGEST ORGAN OF THE BODY ONE SHOULD TAKE BEST POSSIBLE CARE OF IT.

Every one should  have a basic understanding of  skin's structure and functions in order to take care of it.


The skin is the body's largest organ. It serves many important functions, including regulating body temperature, maintaining water and electrolyte balance, and sensing painful and pleasant stimuli.
It protects the internal organs, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels against trauma.
The skin has three layers—

Epidermis:
Outer most layer of skin which is made up of 5 layers.
The outermost portion of the epidermis, known as the stratum corneum, is relatively waterproof and, when undamaged, prevents most bacteria, viruses, and other foreign substances from entering the body. The epidermis contains Langerhans' cells, which are part of the skin's immune system.


MELANOCYTES
Scattered throughout the basal layer of the epidermis are cells called melanocytes, which produce the pigment melanin, one of the main contributors to skin color. Melanin's primary function, however, is to filter out ultraviolet radiation from sunlight which can damage DNA, resulting in numerous harmful effects, including skin cancer.


Dermis:
The dermis, the skin's next layer, is a thick layer of fibrous and elastic tissue (made mostly of collagen, elastin, and fibrillin) that gives the skin its flexibility and strength. The dermis contains nerve endings, sweat glands and oil glands, hair follicles, and blood vessels.The blood vessels of the dermis provide nutrients to the skin and help regulate body temperature


Fat layer (also called the subcutaneous layer) :
Below the dermis lies a layer of fat that helps insulate the body from heat and cold, provides protective padding, and serves as an energy storage area.


To learn more about anatomy of skin and to see visually what changes it undergoes as we age follow the link below:


Skin, Skin Information, Facts, News, Photos -- National Geographic