There is no doubt that the sun prematurely ages the skin. If you are in any doubt, compare the unexposed skin on the inside of your forearm or your buttocks (unless of course, you are a nudist!)

UVA rays are longer and more lethargic and penetrate deep into the dermis. They remain constant at the same levels all the year round, wherever you are in the world. You will age on cloudy days and through glass. UVA rays are the ageing rays

UVB, shorter and much more energetic rays, are affected by the geographic region and the time of year ..... the rays don't travel so far. They are blocked by cloud, clothing and glass. UVB rays cause burning and skin cancers.

UVC is so frenetic that it has the power to mutate all living things but the ozone layer filters out almost all of these.

Infrared rays destroy collagen.

Ultraviolet and infrared irradiate parts of your DNA and cause thermal injury and damage. Cell destruction and the effort to repair speeds up the natural ageing process. Ultraviolet rays generate free radicals (rogue molecules that have lost an electron) which cause a chain reaction and vicious circle of damage to healthy body cells.

UVB destroys our protective lipids. Sunburn isn't just damage. It is in itself damaging as it alters the molecular structure leading to the potential for cancerous changes. At the menopause, as melanocytes are lost with the decline of oestrogen, so the skin becomes more vulnerable to sunburn and those pigmentation age spots. The sun also depresses our immune system - ever come back from a holiday with a cold?

The skin is an excellent record keeper of every moment spent in the sun. When we are young, defence and repair are at full efficiency but as we age the ability to maintain slows.... and then the level of damage exceeds the potential for repair....
BUT it's never too late....

Studies show that we can undo some of the damage already done and that damaged skin has a real chance of natural repair.

Antioxidants will help to fight free radicals. Eat five portions of fruit and vegetables daily.

A diet rich in antioxidants: 2 tablespoons peas or sweetcorn; 2 medium carrots; 1 tomato; a medium portion courgette, cabbage or cauliflower

Apple, banana, orange, peach or pear (all medium size). Dried fruit - and fruit and vegetable juice.

Topically applied vitamins A, C, and E
Sunscreen daily
Solar Booster
Total eye-care
Multivitamin hand and nail treatment

Remember those UVA rays, the ageing rays, are the same right through the year, so sunscreen daily is a very real anti-ageing products.