At a party last night I was told by a few people I looked considerably younger than I actually am and I don’t think they were all drunk at the time either.

This came as a pleasant observation to me as over the years I have certainly not been kind to my skin.

Up until my early thirties I abused it terribly. I coated it in baby oil, carrot oil and coconut oil, not all at the same time I hasten to add, and fried in the sun. My quest for a tan led me to spend more time on sunbeds than is now deemed safe and generally I took my skin for granted.

Not surprisingly my misspent youth has caught up with me and I’ve had numerous questionable spots cut off or frozen from my arms, legs and shoulders. According to my doctor they were all attributable to “sun damage”.

What I didn’t realise until far too late is that there’s no such thing as a safe tan.

Any tan is a sign of skin damage and if you go out in the sun and burn you damage your DNA which makes you more susceptible to skin cancer. Once you start to go red it is a sign you are doing some damage so the current advice is to limit your exposure to 15 minute intervals.

That’s probably the amount of time I used to stay out of the sun, but not any more. With climate change, the thinning of the ozone layer and generally being older and wiser I realise the importance of sun protection.

Each year there are more and more cases of skin cancer reported. In UK just last year (2006-7) there were 75,000 new cases and apparently many people didn’t even realise the sun could be a factor.

Most people have now heard the advice of Slip-Slap-Slop which refers to slipping on a tee-shirt, slapping on some sunscreen and slopping on a wide brimmed hat which are all very sensible suggestions.

However, it seems that even these may not be enough to protect us from the damaging UV rays of the sun unless we are a bit more conscious about things.

The sun gives off UVA, UVB and UVC rays. The A ones are ageing, the B ones are burning and the C ones are not quite so specifically defined. Sunshine also promotes the production of Vitamin D which is vital for healthy bones and reducing the risk of cancer. It gives us that feel good factor.

We are advised and encouraged to use sunscreens with a minimum sun protection factor of 15 (SPF 15) and in some shops that is the minimum protection you will find. It is also recommended we reapply them frequently. However, whilst this should provide protection from the harmful UV rays there could be a downside.

Most of our vitamin D is made in the skin when we absorb sunlight so if we block the absorption with sunscreens we can reduce our ability to produce it. Some of the higher SPF sunscreens block the absorption by as much as 95%.

Also, some sunscreens contain potentially harmful chemical such as PABA and Oxybenzone which can cause allergic eczema and photo sensitivity in some people.

Another ingredient, titanium dioxide is now being blamed for the rise in skin cancer for users who stay too long in the sun.

So what is the answer?

Well it seems the best way is to cover up and wear dense clothing where the fibres are close together. Linen and thin cotton are not sufficient as the UV rays can penetrate the material. If you do choose to wear light flimsy items of clothing it is highly recommended you also wear sun protection of at least SPF 10 underneath.

I take much more care of my skin now and don’t sunbathe at all. Of course it’s too late as the irreversible damage has already been done, but the natural organic products I now use ensure I am now treating it with the respect it deserves.

My skin care is 100% free of synthetic toxic chemicals which you find in most products and contains only purely natural beneficial ingredients. I figure I’ve done enough damage over the years without exposing myself to potentially harmful toxins which have never been tested either individually or in combination as well.

It must be working which is why I’m feeling pretty smug today.

It’s one of the most frequent questions I get. Patients ask me all the time: Do I really need to wear sunscreen? And the answer is, “Yes, no matter who you are, where you live, where you work, you really need to wear sunscreen every day.” Why am I so determined to get everybody slathered with skin protection? Well, nobody is in a better position than a dermatologist to see the harsh effects of solar radiation on human skin.

Most people know that exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun can lead to skin cancer, especially in fair-skinned people with light eye and hair color. But it’s not only pale folks who are at risk: multiple sunburns, for any skin color or type, raise the risk of skin cancer. And sunscreen really can effectively prevent sunburn, if you use it right.

Short of cancer, though, years of sun exposure gradually change our skin in ways that make us look – well, old. Yes, sunlight can promote premature aging of the skin, accelerating natural aging processes, weakening collagen, and causing the elastic fibers in skin to uncoil like a worn-out bedspring. And then – well, you know the rest. Your skin sags. Gravity takes over, the skin can’t hold out, so down it comes.

Sun exposure also dries out skin and reduces its ability to hold moisture. The resulting lines and wrinkles sharpen the appearance of aging. And the cute, charming freckles that the sun brings out in childhood morph into the brown spots and discoloration that plague us as we get older.

So how can we use sunscreen to get the skin protection we need? First, be sure you get the right product. The worst sun damage comes from UVA rays. UVA has a longer wavelength, so it can penetrate deeper into the skin, causing the aging effects we associate with sun exposure. We now know that UVA exposure also blocks your skin’s natural repair mechanisms, so that previous damage and pre-cancers cannot be reversed. It’s UVA radiation that can give you a sunburn on a cloudy day – it travels right through the clouds. And it can go through the glass of your car windows, which is why we dermatologists see the most skin cancers on the head and neck, on the left. Look at the left side of your neck. Do you see brown spots? When you were 13, they didn’t have UVA protection. That’s the ray that’s aging you.

So I always urge my patients to make sure they have the right product, and to use it correctly. First, look for a bottle or tube of sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays (UVB is the one that causes burning between 10 am and 3 pm). More tips for effective sunscreen use:

Be sure you get a sunscreen with an SPF number of at least 30

Apply it liberally, about 15 to 20 minutes before sun exposure

Reapply every one to two hours, especially if you’re going into the water or perspiring a lot

Once you have the sunscreen part down, there’s more you can do to protect yourself from the sun:

Limit your sun exposure, especially during the high sun hours of 10 am to 3 pm

Seek shade can whenever possible

Find sun protective clothing – it offers effective protection while you’re outdoors

Throw away your sunscreen from last year and purchase new products

That last point needs some extra emphasis. Most people don’t realize that these old sunscreens chemically break down. Unless there’s an expiration date on the bottle, you can’t assume they’ll provide the label’s SPF protection for more than a year.

For the take-home message, I’d just like to elaborate on the advice of journalist Mary Schmich (she’s the one who really wrote the “Vonnegut speech”), and urge everybody to use sun protection that blocks both UVA and UVB to their exposed skin each and every day. In other words – “Wear sunscreen!”

Sun damage is a form of extrinsic aging, which is early aging that is caused by the surrounding. Extrinsic aging is collective, means that effects exacerbate with repeating, unprotected contact to the sun. Skin is a complex entity consisting of cells and tissues that form the outer surface of the body. It can suffer from environmental insults, including temperature, humidity and solar energy. Changes in the skin are perceived as aging. This phenomenon is not simply a result of chronological aging but a reflection of the consequences of excessive ultraviolet exposure from the sun’s rays.

Sun damage occurs both indoor and out and at any time of the day, regardless if it is sunny or cloudy. During spring even casual exposure can cause UV damage. Melanin transforms UV-photons quickly into harmless amount of heat generating free radicals and is therefore an excellent photoprotectant against direct and indirect DNA damages.

Although the sun is necessary for life, sun damage to skin is caused by the invisible and intense ultraviolet radiation of sun exposure. Some of those harmful effects are visible right away like suntan and sunburn but others appear and worsen overtime such as liver spots and wrinkles. With repeated intense sun exposure the skin damage can even progress into cancer.

Sun damage prevention

1) Protect yourself against sun damage: protect yourself against daily sun damage by applying sun protection prior to every time you are going to e in direct or indirect contact with the sun. Sun protection ought to be applied to the face, ears, lips and neck. Do not forget to protect your scalp if you have bald spots or your hair is thinning. For extended and intentional exposure when you are working, exercising or relaxing outdoors, sun protection should be reapplied every 2 to 3 hours.

2) Fully cover your body: In order to minimize sun exposure, you should search for shade on every possible occasion. Firmly woven, loose fitting, full-length clothing and wide brimmed hat can offer additional protection. To help avoid damage to your eyes, sunglasses that block 99% to 100% of UV rays should be worn.

3) Try to avoid sun between 11am to 4pm: UV rays are strongest between 11am to 4pm. Try to avoid the sun during these hours.

4) Oppose the temptation: Refuse to give in to the desire to tan outdoors in natural light or indoors under artificial UV light. UV rays enter the inner layer of the skin. In reply, the body produces additional melanin. That causes the skin obviously to be darker. A tan is proof that UV has damaged some of the skin’s cell. It has been verified that a tan is not healthy or safe.

5) Get expert advice: to help ensure the potential of a healthy, beautiful skin, you should schedule regular appointments with your dermatologist. Your dermatologist can offer education and information about skin care and explain the numerous sun damage prevention and all treatment options that are available to you.

Sun damage treatment

1) Retinol: Retinol is pure vitamin A. vitamin A is a part of forming and maintaining healthy skin. Retinol encourages the production and elimination of skin cells and stimulates the renewal of keratinocytes, which is the cell that Keratin. The effect of retinol includes softer skin and reduced appearance of fine lines.

2) Alpha Hydroxin Acids (AHAs): AHAs removes dead cell from the upper layer of the skin. This increases creation of new skin cells and control moisture levels. That results in a smoother, more healthy skin tone. AHAs are resulting from natural sources, such as fruit, milk and sugar cane.

3) Hydroquinone: Hydroquinone are tropical treatments, that are applied directly to the skin, which inhibit melanin production, the material that color the skin.

4) Chemical Peeling: A chemical solution which is applied to the face in order to remove the outer layer of your skin. As skin regenerates, it is noticeable smoother, softer and less wrinkled.

Skin care peeling is usually done to improve sum damage skin and reduce roughness, remove dead skin from the skin surface that allow fresh skin to grow faster, remove very fine lines, etc.

VLCC healthcare is one of the leading organizations for skin care. They provide all the necessary treatment for most of the skin problems.

Everything we eat goes to our bloodstream, everything we apply to our skin will be also absorbed into our bloodstream. Did you notice how many chemicals regular sunscreens contain? Studies show that the longer sunscreen chemicals are left on the skin, the more they will be absorbed into the body, and it means we’ll get more toxins, which is very dangerous for our health.

If we have a good immune and eliminative system, we can handle the extra exposure to toxins. Otherwise, we need to detox from time to time not to become a toxic dump. But what about our young children who have less well-developed processes of elimination, and have a larger surface area per body weight than adults? Do they need more chemicals in their bodies?

As for me, I don’t use sunscreens because I try to stay out of sun from 11:00am till 4:00 pm. and wear a hat or try to be in the shade. When my son was young, I didn’t let him be out in the middle of the day in the direct summer sun. People don’t realize that even if they use sunscreen, they still should avoid too much sun -everything in moderation is the best policy.

Here are some healhty tips on how to protect our skin from sun damage:

1. If we do need sunscreen, we have to look for better and healthier alternatives. Two nontoxic solutions are the sun blocking minerals zinc oxide (studies show that only clothing and zinc oxide totally block UVB and UVA rays) and titanium dioxide. They are supposed to be safer products. You might be interested in sunscreen products with micronized zinc oxide as the only active ingredient.

2. We can use oils from our kitchen such as Sesame Oil, Coconut Oil, Olive and Peanut oils as well as rich in cinnamic acid, Walnut Oil, Raspberry Oil, Avocado Oil, Pomegranate Oil, Jojoba Oil, Pumpkin Seed Oil, Aloe Vera Oil, Coffee Butter, Shea Butter. All of them have UV protection and damage repair properties and provide natural protection from the sun. You can find a lot of modern sunscreen products which incorporate many of these oils and butters.

3. We shouldn’t eat carrots, celery, parsley, parsnips and limes before we go to the beach. Studies show that these vegetables contain psoralens, chemicals that may make you unusually sensitive to the sun.

4. We shouldn’t use skin-care products that contain citrus essential oils, especially bergamot (Citrus bergamia). They might increase the skin’s sensitivity to light and cause skin discoloration or rashes.

5. We should apply a thin coat of yogurt, sour cream, kefir or aloe-vera gel to reddened areas to help reduce inflammation and cool and moisturize our skin if we did get sunburn.

Studies show that even if you use a sunscreen and don’t get burnt, ultraviolet light will still suppress your immune system. Choose the right sunscreen product using common sense and exploring your options – the one that offers least harm is the best. And never forget that an old fashioned way- a big hat, sun glasses and a shade from a nice large tree- might be the best natural protection.

Let’s first explore how vitamin C works and what it can do for your skin. Over time, sun, chemicals, stress, infections and drugs cause damage to the dermis, or the outermost layer of your skin. The breakdown of collagen causes it to lose elasticity. As we age, the layers underneath start to sag. A lot of the damage is caused by free radicals that attack and weaken cell membranes.

If you take vitamin C, you can improve the quality of your skin from the inside. It quickly clears out free radicals. It also is the ingredient that your body needs to produce and use the collagen protein. Collagen proteins hold together every part of our body. It essentially travels around your body and replaces damaged collagen proteins and facilitates the production of more.

The amount of vitamin C that we need to keep up with collagen production and repair can be surprising. That amount only increases as we age. This is because the body goes through stages of producing different enzymes at specific ages. We make a lot when we are young to foster growth and development. We make less reconstructive enzymes as we age, increasing the need to repair cells in other ways.

Vitamin C can do wonders for damaged skin. As our skin is exposed to the sun and other external elements, the vitamin C levels in the outer layer of skin are rapidly depleted. Taking a vitamin C supplement has proven very effective in preventing and repairing wrinkles, and even reversing sun damage.

The products on the market designed for topical application are so unstable. This is because ascorbic acid is the only proven form of vitamin C to be effective. It oxidizes very quickly and can actually cause more harm than good on your skin in this form.

Using vitamin C powder can help you get higher doses of absorbable vitamin C without the acidity of non-buffered forms. Vitamin C powders, like C-Salts, have additional ingredients that are beneficial for skin cell renewal and collagen production. Magnesium helps to heal damaged skin and protects against allergic skin reactions. Potassium is excellent for maintaining your skin’s moisture. Calcium is key in regulating skin cell turnover and helps skin resurface itself while combating moisture loss. Zinc works closely with vitamin C to synthesize collagen and also helps to heal skin wounds and acne.

You can buy vitamins, like C-Salts online. Taking a daily vitamin C supplement can help you to fight the signs of aging and sun damage. If you have any specific dermatological concerns, speak with your dermatologist about which vitamins and supplements may be right for you.