subject: Skin Damage::4 Causes of Skin Damage [print this page] Skin Damage::4 Causes of Skin Damage Skin Damage::4 Causes of Skin Damage
Here are 4 main causes for skin damage. Let's investigate how skin damage can begin and then see How to Reverse Skin Damage.
Damaging molecules include free radicals and inflammatory cytokines. Advanced glycation end-products or AGEs damage cells, too. The damage can lead to wrinkle formation. The cascade of events leading to the formation of AGEs plays a role in acne and possibly hair loss. What we put into our bodies affects the way we look on the outside.
Sunburn causes acute (short-term) damage, which is repaired relatively quickly, although scarring can occur if burns are severe. Sunburn can also cause long-term damage by causing breaks in cellular DNA. If the DNA damage is not repaired by the body, cellular mutations can occur. The mutations are pre-cursors to the formation of cancerous growths.
Any excess skin darkening can cause the damage that leads to cancer. The process that occurs during tanning is basically the same as what occurs during sunburn, which contradicts the idea that tanning is healthy.
** 1. SUN EXPOSURE CAUSE
Free radicals form during sun exposure. Those that are already present become excited by the UV rays. Free radical damage is a type of molecular skin injury.
** 2. SMOKING CAUSE
Free radicals also form due to exposure to toxins. Cigarette smoke is a toxin that causes wrinkles and may play a role in skin cancer, although excessive sun exposure is most often to blame for cancerous growths.
Some toxins cause cellular mutations directly. They are known as carcinogens. Some chemicals are possible or probable carcinogens. Others are "known" carcinogens.
** 3. CARCINOGENS CAUSE
One of the known carcinogens is benzene. Benzene derivatives called oxybenzone and benzophenone are commonly used as sunscreen ingredients. The derivatives are known to cause cellular mutations, but only when exposed to sunlight. That makes them probable photo-carcinogens.
Molecular skin injury can also be caused by an allergic or adverse reaction. Dermatitis is inflammation of the dermis. It can be caused by exposure to allergens or irritants.
Inflammation can degrade the skin's collagen fibers, which would cause lost firmness. Allergens or irritants may be present in clothing or the environment. Many are found in skincare products.
Chronic inflammation is known to play a role in cancers of all kinds. So even though sunburn is commonly cited as a cause of skin cancer, it is not the only possible cause.
Excessive dryness can occur as a result of excess skin darkening or tanning. When the skin is dry, it is more easily damaged. People with dryness issues are more likely to have wrinkles at an earlier age than are people with oilier complexions.
** 4. CLEANSER CAUSE
Cleansers strip the skin's naturally protective oils causing dryness and making it more easily damaged. Some cleanser ingredients are suspected of giving off cancerous byproducts. Triclosan is an example. It can combine with the chlorine in tap water to form chloroform gas, a known carcinogen.
As you can see, there are many things that cause molecular skin damage. All of them can lead to the formation of cancerous growths or wrinkles.
It may be possible to avoid the sunburn. But what does one do to reverse sun damaged skin and other types of damage? You'll learn the answers in my next article: How to Reverse Skin Damage.
