Block and Stop - the Secret for Younger Looking Skin

Do you want younger looking skin? "Just block and stop," says licensed aesthetician, Medical aesthetician, Gena O'Neill.

"Blocking refers to using either sun block or sunscreen and by blocking smoking, I mean giving up cigarettes," says Gena.

How is it that something like the sun that feels so good and improves our moods can cause damage? "There are three types of UV rays in the atmosphere; UVA, UVB, UVC. UVC are absorbed into the environment," says Gena, "UVA rays age the skin, (A equals age) and UVB (B equals burning) are harmful to our skin. UV A rays take longer to impact the skin but penetrate deeper. UVA rays results in wrinkles and discoloration and the UVB results in burns. A tan is the skin's attempt to protect itself against these damaging rays."

So why should we care? Over exposure to the sun can lead to serious consequences that are worse than aging skin. The rays can cause skin cancer. Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer and can be lethal. Melanoma can spread throughout the body. Basal cell cancer's don't spread but can erode the underlying structures of the skin and require reconstructive surgery and squamous cell cancers can also spread through out the body.

This means everyone; even those with darker skin tone must protect their skin.

Protection comes in the form of a sun block or a sunscreen. Gena explains the difference:
"A sun block offers complete protection of the skin. It is a lotion that blocks the rays of the sun. Its ingredients include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Sunscreen protects the skin by reflecting and absorbing harmful UVA and UVB rays."

"Look for broad spectrum protection" says Gena. Sunscreen contains benzophenones which protect against UVA rays and cinnamates and salicylates that work against UVB rays. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. It is recommended to use products with at least SPF 15. The higher the SPF the longer it acts in the sun without breaking down. Sunscreens need to be reapplied.

"If you smoke, stop," says Gena. Smoke robs the skin of oxygen and its youthful texture. Wrinkles form around the lips, eyes and mouth do to sucking. A 2007 study showed that even photoprotected skin ages more rapidly in a smoker.

Sun damage to skin cannot be reversed but it can be treated. Make an appointment with Gena for a complete skin analysis. Above all, just stop and block.