The damaging effects of the sun on the top two layers of our skin have been described in previous articles. As extensive as this damage is, even greater damage occurs in the deepest layer – the dermis – of your skin.
The ultraviolet rays of sunlight do not stop as they strike the dead layer, or stratum corneum, nor as they penetrate to the epidermis. They zip right through into the dermis where they damage the structural proteins that make skin tough and durable.
Elastin is a tough, non-dissolvable protein that forms a network of resilient fibers. It gives our skin the elasticity needed to stretch with every movement, yet return to its normal shape. Unfortunately, elastin is a very susceptible victim of excessive sun exposure. From the first years of intense sunlight exposure, there is a loss of these delicate elastin fibers in the upper dermis. This loosens the attachment to the lower dermis and allows the skin to stretch too easily with any light force.
Collagen, another very important protein of the skin, gives the skin its tensile strength. It is arranged in rope-like bundles and forms an interlocking network that strongly resists tearing. As sturdy as it is, however, it can become completely destroyed by sunlight. When collagen is lost, the skin sags and hangs loosely. The body tries to replace elastin and collagen, but as long as sun exposure continues, it can never repair the damage as fast as it occurs. K.L. Perrins Clinical Skincare Renewal Cream containing 10 percent glycolic acid, which has been proven to be very effective in helping the body repair sun-damaged skin, is available without a prescription. It speeds up the natural repair process and extends it much deeper into the lower reaches of the skin, where most of the severe damage has been done. In collaboration with Dr. Dean Duke, a local dermatologist, this product was developed to help the body repair the skin damage caused by a dry, desert climate. Applied daily, improvement in the look and feel of your complexion can be seen within weeks.
For more information about products containing glycolic acid, ask your dermatologist.
