Sun Damage Reversal

Redlands Daily Facts Health Section, Wrinkles
Staff Writer
Posted: 04/22/2009 09:29:39 PM PDT

Q: I am a So Cal Gal who lives in the sun. Now I am paying for it. I am wrinkled, leathery, have brown spots, and even some weird stuff that I don’t know what it is. Help!

Mimi: Every summer day, as soon as summer school at Hollywood High School let out in the 50s, my friends and I were at the beach with our bottles of baby oil laced with iodine. We would slather on oil and sing, "Burn Baby Burn." We thought that we had to lay in a "good solid base" of charred skin in order to ensure the much sought after "healthy tan." When we changed for gym we would admire each other’s tans. Mine always lasted all school year until the next summer. What fun, and what folly. We didn't know any better. But now we do.

All that sun actually curled up the collagen in the skin. The collagen is the "building blocks" of the skin--The connective tissue that holds everything together. Sun makes it weak, stiff, and brittle instead of strong and supple. There are theories and studies that show that collagen can be repaired through diet and topical applications.

A diet high in essential fatty acids will repair cells and protect from further damage. Essential fatty acids appear in cold water fish like salmon and in flax seed. Crushed flax seed can be added to many dishes or sprinkled on top of salads. Or a tablespoon of crushed flax seed can be swallowed with a water chaser. Flax seed oil can be used in salad dressing. Omega 3 and fish oil capsules are available. Yup, Mom knew what she was doing when she gave you cod liver oil in the winter. It has the fish oil and vitamin D for skin repair.

A diet high in antioxidants will repair and protect your skin. Fresh fruit, veggies, whole grains, nuts and seeds take care of that. Antioxidants "gobble up" free radicals that ravage our bodies. Extra vitamin C is an inexpensive supplement to take. C is C, so don't go for the high priced stuff. Chewable tablets that taste like Smartees are fun, but the acid could damage your teeth.

Several cosmetic companies make supplements targeted for skin health. The ingredients to look for include: Vitamins A, C, E, (as antioxidants), Niacin, B6, Magnesium, Copper and Zinc (for healing). Glucosamine, and Amino Acids: Lysine, Proline, Cysteine, Glycine and Selenium (to encourage healthy collagen production).

Pomegranate supplements repair and deter sun damage. An Essential Fatty Acid supplement can help protect healthy cells from damage as well as protect already damaged cells from future damage by locking moisture in the cells to prevent water loss. Look for CoEnzymeQ10, Flax, and Soy Lecithin along with Amino Acids.

Next column will deal with topical treatments to reverse sun damage.

Mimi Barre is the owner of International Day Spa, 325 Cajon St., Redlands. Send your skin care questions to her at MimiB@INTLdayspa.com. She and her estheticians are available for personal consultations, (909) 793-9080.