Study Shows Daily Sunscreen Slows Skin Aging, Even in Middle Age

Although we’ve been told for many years that the use of sunscreen will prevent skin aging, until a study was performed at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research at the University of Queensland in Australia (where, you can imagine, they get lots of sun), there was no scientific evidence to prove it. According to an article posted on CBS News’ website, this study shows that the daily application of sunscreen can hinder skin aging (aka photoaging), even for those already in middle age! This is great news for all my Atlanta plastic surgery patients who are exposed to high levels of the sun’s UVA and UVB waves.

The study involved 903 individuals up to the age of 55. At the end of the 4-year study, those who applied sunscreen daily had 24% less skin aging compared with those who applied sunscreen irregularly (whenever they thought about it), even though the “daily” group actually used it only 3-4 times a week!

"It has been a source of frustration for us that for some sections of the community, the sun-safe message does not seem to be getting through," said Dr. Adele Green, a professor at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research at the University of Queensland in Australia and head of the study group. "We now know that protecting yourself from skin cancer by using sunscreen has the added bonus of keeping you looking young."
 

Broad spectrum sunscreens protect against both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays cause aging and wrinkling; while UVB rays are responsible for sunburns. Both, however, increase your risk of skin cancer.

So, now you have an additional reason to slather on that sunscreen: not only to prevent skin cancer but to stall your facial aging process! Come into our Atlanta cosmetic surgery office and see Tina, our Aesthetician for sunscreen. She will help you choose the one that’s best for your skin!

To your health and beauty,

Dr. Carmen Kavali

Board Certified Atlanta Plastic Surgeon