UV – one of the main enemies of
Collagen
Sunlight has a profound effect on
the skin causing premature skin aging, skin cancer, and a host of skin changes.
Exposure to ultraviolet light, UVA or UVB, from sunlight accounts for 90% of
the symptoms of premature skin aging.
Many skin changes that were commonly
believed to be due to aging, such as easy bruising, are actually a result of
prolonged exposure to UV radiation.
Collagen Breakdown
In the dermis, UV radiation
causes collagen to break down at a higher rate than with just chronologic
aging. Sunlight damages collagen fibers and causes the accumulation of abnormal
elastin. When this sun-induced elastin accumulates, enzymes called
metalloproteinases are produced in large quantities.
Normally,
metalloproteinases remodel sun-injured skin by manufacturing and reforming
collagen. However, this process does not always work well and some of the
metalloproteinases actually break down collagen.
This results in the formation
of disorganized collagen fibers known as solar scars. When the skin repeats
this imperfect rebuilding process over and over………wrinkles develop.
