Now that we are in the full swing of summer, the obvious question is: Are you using sunscreen? And, your question back is: Yes, but still, what do I do if I overexposed myself to the sun?
In spite of common belief, you CAN treat the effects of sunburn, reducing the pain, speeding the cure time, etc., but reducing ALL of the effects (namely the age damage you’ve subjected yourself to) is probably not a reality. But, in reality, we all do it… leave the sunscreen at home, splurge a little too long in the sun when it’s FINALLY nice out, etc.
So, how do you reduce the effects of sunburn?
1) Minimize the inflammation
Aloe vera, oatmeal baths, calendula extract, Vitamin E – all are great anti-inflammatory topical agents that can be applied to sunburn. AND, they are all treatments you can try at home.
2) Promote healing
It’s a well known fact. Sunburn causes DNA damage. While there are a few topical agents, among them diaminopropionyl tripeptide-33, which can be found in several products in the Toujours Jeune line, that aid in repairing DNA damage after the fact, I know of no ingredient that will fully reverse the DNA damage caused by overexposure to the sun.
You must rely on your body’s own healing ability to fully repair DNA damage. And, indeed, if the DNA damage is bad enough, the affected cells have inbuilt mechanisms to prevent becoming cancerous, namely, cell suicide (apoptosis) or loss of their inability to divide (cell senescence).
However, DNA damage isn’t the only cellular damage experienced upon exposure to UV rays. UV promotes formation of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS), both of which can attack many things within the cell, damaging (among other things) the lipid bilayer and mitochondria (source of the cell’s energy). And (as if that weren’t bad enough), UV radiation, which promotes free radical and ROS formation, damages extracellular matrix components such as collagen and elastin.
Additionally, though UV exposure promotes the production of melanin (an excellent anti-oxidant), the body is at the same time depleted of other anti-oxidants (for example, Coenzyme Q-10 and glutathione).
And, as we age, our bodies own ability to produce these natural anti-oxidants such as Coenzyme Q-10, glutathione, and, yes, even appropriate and even levels of melanin declines.
So, after overexposure to UV, it’s important to promote collagen synthesis and to replenish anti-oxidants.
Of course, Return to Eden Cosmetics offers several products to help you do both – many of the Toujours Jeune face creams contain collagen promoting peptides and our entire line of Golden Standard face creams contain Coenzyme Q-10.
We can also help our bodies from the inside out. You see, sunburn isn’t always localized. If the burn is bad enough, you can feel the effects systemically (low grade fever, general feeling of malaise, etc.), but even when it’s not THAT bad, an immune response is still triggered, and the level of prostaglandins, interleukins (a group of cytokines), and histamines can be increased throughout the body. Increased levels of cytokines can actually promote oxidative stress and inflammation.
So, to decrease added oxidative stress as much as possible, you’ll want to be sure to incorporate extra anti-oxidants into your diet. Say hello to leafy greens, fresh fruits, and wine. Also, omega-3 helps reduce oxidative damage in the body, so fish is your friend.*
*Omega 3 fatty acids actually vie with the metabolic pathway known as the arachidonic acid (an omega-6) cascade. During an inflammatory response, the arachidonic acid cascade produces eicosanoids known for increased inflammation. Omega 3 competes with the arachidonic acid cascade lessening the effects of the inflammatory response.+
+One of the perks of being married to a guy who studies metabolic pathways for a living is first gaining knowledge of these pathways due to his work in the area, and second, being able to discuss what the effects of these pathways mean for the body and for disease.
