PHOTODAMAGE

Fillers and Incidental Photodamage

The cumulative effects of sun exposure occurring as a result of just walking outdoors on an errand, taking a coffee break outside, and driving (the worst culprit) seriously contribute to premature aging when these activities were performed without UV protection.

Coined “incidental” sun exposure, this is a primary contributor in the development of wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, loose skin and other visible signs of aging – so much so that according to the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology in which this study was printed, excessive sun exposure is blamed for approximately 90% of all visible signs of aging!

Wrinkle treatments like Toronto fillers procedures can erase the signs of aging by treating wrinkles and loose skin, achieving a smoother facial contour and more youthful appearance.

However, wouldn’t it be better if you could delay the development of these aging signs or at least keep them to a minimum in appearance? The best way to do this is by protecting your skin from the sun, every time you go out. No matter how short you’ll be outdoors, you must wear sun protection, even on cloudy days (although some of the sun’s rays are filtered by the clouds, the majority can still reach you). The more time you are exposed, the weaker your skin becomes and the rate at which its ability to heal and repair itself worsens.

So think about it next time you pop out to grab a coffee: photoaging is caused by the amount of time you’ve spent out in the sun throughout your life. It doesn’t just happen all at once, which means you do have the ability to prevent further damage by practicing due diligence. Slather on the sunscreen, wear protective clothing including a hat, and stay in the shade if you want your skin to remain resilient and youthful! And just because you don’t see the signs now, it doesn’t mean you’ve lucked out. Sun damage doesn’t always appear visibly on the surface; your skin may be damaged at a deeper level in the skin and it will only be a matter of time before you’ll be able to see it on the surface.