According to an estimation, Americans spend $27 billion every year on cosmetic products to effectively fight against wrinkles. Though the main product to deal with wrinkles, is the cream meant for that purpose, use of Sunscreen can be a better option instead. This article tries to scientifically understand why Sunscreen can be better than Wrinkle creams to prevent wrinkles.
Why the Wrinkle Creams are not Better?
Wrinkles are folds formed on the skin. There are two main reasons for the formation of these folds. They are the natural process of aging and the exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. Our skin has two layers, namely the upper layer epidermis and the lower layer dermis. The dermis layer contains two important elements known as the elastin and the collagen.
The collagen provides structure to the skin and the elastin maintains the strength and flexibility of the skin. In this way, these two elements keep our skin firm, tight and yet flexible. The production of collagen decreases as we grow old along with the wearing out of the elastin. This leads to sagging or folds on the skin called the wrinkles.
Any cream cannot prevent or reduce the process of skin aging on its own by changing the biochemical reactions or processes within the skin cells. Intake of good food, rich in Vitamin C and drinking lots of water can only delay or lessen the signs of aging. Moreover, there is no governing body to regulate the chemicals used in the preparation of these products. As a result, dangerous and harmful chemicals can be used in preparing these products. Finally, there is no scientific credibility to the claims made by the manufacturers of the wrinkle creams on the effectiveness of their products.
How the Sunscreens are Better?
Now, while not much is there in our hands to stop the process of aging, we can take adequate steps to prevent our skin from the damages caused by the sun exposure. Let us learn how the sun rays cause wrinkles.
- The ultraviolet rays of the sun are of three types. They are UVA, UVB and UVC wavelengths
- The UVC are the most intense of these rays absorbed completely by the ozone layer above the earth. The UVB type has wavelength and energy in between the two other types. These rays are primarily responsible for causing skin cancer, burning, tanning and faster aging of the skin
- The UVA type accounts for 95 percent of the sun rays reaching the surface of the earth. Their long wavelength allows these rays to penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin. The energy associated with these rays is sufficient to damage the collagen and elastin fibers
As a response to the damage caused, the body releases large amounts of enzymes called metalloproteinases. Their normal function is production and repairing of collagen fibers in order to remodel the sun-damaged tissues. However, even 5-15 minutes of exposure to the sun can lead to an excess production of these enzymes. As a consequence of this event, the metalloproteinases can counter-productively break down the collagen fibers leading to an uneven formation of disorganized skin structures. Repetition of this undesirable and imperfect rebuilding of leads to the creation of wrinkles.
Owing to this reason, it is imperative that the skin be protected as much as possible from the UV-A type of the sun rays. The Sunscreens are medications applied to the skin which absorb or reflect some of the UV rays of the sun. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recognizes and classifies Sunscreens as drugs available over the counter instead of treating them as cosmetics. There are 16 active ingredients which are approved by FDA to be used in the preparation of these medications in the United States. These ingredients are either organic absorbers or inorganic blockers. While former absorb the UV- A rays, the latter reflect these rays away from the skin. In this way, the collagen fiber structures and the elastin elements remain unaffected and intact.
Some of the FDA approved active ingredients of Sunscreen are Padimate O (Octyldimethyl PABA), Homosalate, Octisalate (Octyl salicylate), Avobenzone (Parsol 1789), Zinc Oxide, Ecamsule (Mexoryl), Octinoxate (Octyl methoxycinnamate or OCM), Octocrylene, Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide. The best protection from UV-A rays is provided by products containing zinc oxide, avobenzone and ecamsule ingredients.
The efficiency of a Sunscreen in providing protection from UV-B rays is measured in terms of the quantity Sun Protection Factor (SPF). The higher the SPF of a sunscreen, the more is the protection it can offer against UV- B rays. The FDA proposed upper limit of SPF for sunscreen manufacturers is 50.
The UV- A protection is measured in terms of the term Persistent Pigment Darkening (PPD). A sunscreen with PPD rating 10 allows a person to get exposed to UV-A 10 times more than as would be without protection.
While buying sunscreens, it is important to look for the term “Broad spectrum” in the label. Such products provide dual protection from wrinkles and sun burns caused by UV- A and UV- B respectively. According to the latest FDA rules effective from Summer 2012, a product can mention the term broad spectrum on its label of if its UVA PPD is as high as its UVB SPF.
Conclusion: Owing to the FDA recognition of the product and regulations in place for the ingredients to be used in the preparation of the product, Sunscreens are better than wrinkle creams to prevent wrinkles.
