subject: The Ultimate Sun Protection from Both Inside and Out [print this page] The Ultimate Sun Protection from Both Inside and Out
It has been reported that skin cancer is among the fastest growing type of malignancies in the United States and continues to be on the rise in the UK. One major cause are ultraviolet rays that create free radicals, highly unstable molecules, that trigger mutations in genes which can lead to skin cancer, damage cells and cause wrinkles and premature aging.
Earlier forms of sunscreens only protected against UVB rays, today however, many on the market contain more amounts of titanium dioxide, zinc oxide and avobenzone to also help protect against UVA rays. There has been some concern from various experts whom have found that chemicals used to deactivate UV rays (most commonly cinnamates, benzophenones and amino benzoic acid) may cause adverse reaction with sunlight and even possibly cause DNA damage. Regardless of the spectrum of coverage sunscreens only protect the skin from the outside and must be applied and reapplied in a timely manner to be effective. With cancer induced from UV exposure on the rise sunscreen manufacturers continually strive to enhance the protective qualities of topical treatments including adding antioxidants to the lotion. Certainly sunscreen, even with its imperfections, is important. But is there something else that we do to protect our skin?
Did you know you can significantly help prevent sun damage to your skin from the inside?
There is mounting evidence that antioxidants function as free radical scavengers and may inhibit the growth of cancer cells due to sun damage. Clinical evidence suggests that an antioxidant-rich diet can protect the skin from the destructive effects of ultraviolet radiation and help prevent premature aging. The skin has a natural defense system made up of antioxidants that deactivate the free radicals triggered by ultraviolet rays. However, these resources need to be replenished daily and this can be done through adding antioxidants, like lycopene to our diet.
Recently scientist discovered that lycopene has potent protective effects in the human skin due to the antioxidant properties of its carotenoids. It has been shown in several studies and in vitro experiments that it is an efficient scavenger of free radicals and can prevent UV lightinduced skin lesions and even help protect against skin cancer.
However, with continued UV radiation, the concentration of lycopene in your skin decreases dramatically leaving it unprotected. Recent research has demonstrated that supplementation with lycopene increases protection against UV-induced skin erythema (sunburn). Dr. Yoav Sharoni of Ben-Gurion University explained "that while sunscreens provide external protection from damaging UV rays, antioxidants like lycopene in the diet might provide internal protection from sunburn."
So where do I get this lycopene?
Even though lycopene naturally occurs in raw tomatoes, the real key is to extract and process it to increase its concentration into bioavailable lycopene. Vital Balance Lab created a supplement which includes lycopene and other specific antioxidants that promote your skin's natural defense system against the damaging effects of the sun.
