Dr. Rehan Karim of U.S. Dermatology Partners North Dallas was featured as an expert source in Everyday Health, providing insights on habits that can prematurely age the skin. As a Board-Certified Dermatologist, Dr. Karim highlights the behaviors to avoid — including excessive sun exposure, chronic stress, and high sugar intake — and shares practical guidance for maintaining healthy, youthful skin.
Read Full Article HereThe ultraviolet (UV) radiation that comes from the sun is one of the major causes of skin damage that can prematurely age your appearance, Karim says.
There are two forms of UV radiation: UVA and UVB. “UVA gets into the deeper parts of our skin that break down our collagen or elastin, which are structural proteins that normally keep skin firm and elastic,” Karim says. When collagen and elastin start to break down — which can happen as early as your mid-thirties — your skin can begin to wrinkle, sag, and lose firmness.
UVB, on the other hand, leads to sunburns, inflammation, and other damage to the top layer of the skin and increases the risk of skin cancer.
The best line of defense against the skin-aging effects of UVA and UVB radiation is to wear sunscreen daily.
It’s also worth investing in sun-protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses to further shield your skin from harmful UV rays, Karim says. Look for apparel with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF, a measurement of how much UV radiation can penetrate the fabric) of 50 or above, which indicates the clothing blocks at least 98 percent of the sun’s rays. Similarly, choose sunglasses with 100 percent UV protection.
