The degree of UV sensitivity of the skin is determined by the rate of skin aging. This is under the influence of repeated exposure to UV radiation from the sun and tanning beds. UV sensitivity is different from chronological (normal) aging in that UV rays affect the healthy, functional structures of the skin.
UV rays are made up of two wavelengths, UVA and UVB. When UV rays hit the skin, the cells in the dermis start producing melanin (skin pigment), which is then transported to the epidermis.
The purpose of this colored protein is to block UV radiation, but it also causes our skin to tan. UVA rays are the biggest culprit in UV sensitivity. They have a long wavelength and can penetrate deep into the dermis, where they impair collagen and elastin production.
These proteins are essential for skin regeneration and maintaining shape after stretching or otherwise deforming the skin. The damage to collagen and elastin production leads to the production of damaged proteins. This leads to an increase in a specific type of enzymes: the metalloproteinases that try to rebuild the collagen and elastin proteins.
However, the UV damage causes the enzymes to fail in their function, resulting in low-quality collagen tissue and sub-optimal skin repair.
Why is it important for everyone to protect our skin from the influence of the sun? We generally know that it is important to protect ourselves from the harmful effects of the sun on the days when the sun is shining brightly. Without the right protection, you quickly notice the consequences: your skin burns. This violent reaction of the skin to the UV rays of the sun ensures that you are immediately reminded of how important the right protection is.
The influence of the sun on skin aging is also called UV sensitivity (photoageing in English), and describes the long-term consequences of exposure to sunlight on the skin.
The UV rays from the sun and tanning beds cause damage to the skin, which is irreversible in the long run. The skin is vulnerable to UV rays, but the degree of vulnerability can differ from person to person, this is partly determined by your genetic profile.
Because of the influence on the appearance of your skin, but also the dangers associated with exposure of the skin to UV radiation, it is important to protect the skin even on less sunny days. Although we are quickly inclined not to use sunscreen or day cream with SPF (sun protection), harmful UV radiation is also present on days when the sun is not so bright. Also on these days it can be wise to use sun protection.
We can see from your genetic profile that you, for example, have a normal predisposition to skin aging as a result of exposure to UV radiation.
We can also indicate whether you need extra UV protection.
If you have a normal predisposition, this means that you should protect your skin well at all times, but you do not necessarily have to use a cream with SPF outside the summer, and if you prefer this, you also have a lower factor. may already be well protected.
In this way we can give you advice about UV sensitivity and skin aging based on our DNA Skin test.
In our DNA report focused on the skin (Dermagenomics) you get information about the following parts:
