Damage Control

It’s never too late to protect your skin from the sun.

By Jessica

Environment Canada estimates that more than 76,000 new cases of skin cancers are diagnosed each year in this country.  Granted, small amounts of ultraviolet (UV) radiation are essential to the body’s production of vitamin D, a direct conduit to bone health, among other things.  But B.C.-based dermatologist Dr. Mark Lupin warns, “Like all good things, moderation is key.”

At this stage, you know that exposure to UV rays, which include deep-penetrating UVA and skin-burning UVB, increases the incidence of skin cancers as well as prematurely aged skin.  Short of swathing all exposed skin in space-age protective gear, what do you do once the damage is done?

Lupin suggests that in addition to laser and other light-source devices like Fraxel and photodynamic therapy, which work to resurface and rejuvenate the skin from within, topical formulations of vitamins A, C, and E also target the visible effects of cellular degeneration.  Think brown spots, leathering and fine lines.

He points specifically to coffeeberry extract.  Using the whole fruit of the coffee plant, this potent polyphenol, a key antiaging agent, has an antioxidant factor more potent than vitamin C and green-tea extracts and can be found in Revaléskin, a complete line of damage-reversing skin care available through your dermatologist.

To prevent further damage, always wear sunscreen, especially when UV rays are at their most intense, from mid-morning to late afternoon, and reapply every two to four hours.  Choose a Canadian Dermatology Association-approved product.  Health Canada advises a broad-spectrum sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or more applied 20 minutes prior to going out.

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