As the number of young adults flocking to tanning booths continues to rise, it seems that we can`t be warned to many times about the sun and it`s damaging effects. Perhaps if we understand exactly what is taking place to our skin when we expose to ultraviolet light, whether natural or synthetic, we will be more inclined to protect our own skin and begin encouraging our younger generation to save their money on their monthly tanning booth memberships.

What Is Photoaging?

Photoaging refers to the accelerated chronological aging of the skin caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays. These ultraviolet rays cause damage to the skin in more than just one way - they promote collagen breakdown and elastin accumulation, increase free radicals, prevent repair to damaged DNA, prevent unhealthy cell death, and cause thickening and thinning of the skin. All of these processes contribute to premature aging and skin disease.

What Happens During Photoaging?

Collagen Breakdown:  Ultraviolet rays cause collagen to break down at a faster than normal rate. This damaging process is double-header. The first step is initial breakdown in collagen, which activates the production of abnormal elastin. This elastin begins to accumulate in the skin cells which, in turn, activates an enzyme that is responsible for rebuilding collagen. This enzyme, metalloproteinase, in normal amounts, will do it`s job effectively. However, in response to the accumulated elastin, metalloproteinase is overproduced and actually ends up going against it`s purpose by aiding in the breakdown of collagen. When this process repeats over time, wrinkles develop.

Free Radicals:  Free Radicals refer to unstable oxygen molecules that have only one electron instead of two. These electrons seek balance by attaching to other molecules that have two electrons. When this electron pairs with the molecules other electron, the stranded electron begins the process anew. This process also contributes to aging by activating the metalloproteinase, as in collagen breakdown, and also impairs cell functioning and alters DNA.

DNA Repair: Ultraviolet rays inhibits Endonuclease, an enzyme responsible for repairing DNA. So not only are we damaging the cells, we are damaging the systems that are responsible for repairing damage.

Death of Unhealthy Cells: The human body has all sorts of little tricks for fighting off sickness or infection that we are unaware of. One of them, Apoptosis, is an immune-system response that kills cells before they become cancerous and can be observed in the peeling of skin after a sunburn. Ultraviolet rays prevent Apoptosis from occurring and allow cancerous cells to divide and multiply.

Blood Vessel Damage and Changes In Skin Texture: Perhaps most visible is the damage ultraviolet rays do to the skin texture and blood vessels. Skin becomes thicker and thinner in certain areas resulting in coarse, deep wrinkles (like on the back of the neck), a tendency to bruise, and easy tearing of the skin. Blood vessel walls also become thinner and burst easier.