An Australian research presented the best evidence so far in proving that sunscreen effectively slows skin aging.
It has been established that sun exposure is one of the factors of skin aging and sunscreen helps prevent skin cancer as FDA approved. However, this study is a breakthrough since it is the first to associate sunscreen to skin aging.
903 adults under age 55 were asked to use sunscreen for 4.5 years. The participants were divided for comparison: the first group was asked to apply sunscreen everyday on their hands, neck, head, and arms while the other group was left to use sunscreen only when they prefer. After the testing period, the researchers analyzed the participants’ skin and compared it on the data they have before the testing began.
Their analysis revealed that those who applied sunscreen on a daily basis showed up to 24 percent less signs of skin aging than those who used it every other day. However, those that are already 55 years old and above planning to start using sunscreen will not be successful as aging due to old age will already take effect by then. The average age of users who had significant results is 39.
Adele Green, lead author of the study and a deputy director of Queensland Institute of Medical Research, believes that their study was able to provide significant evidence about sunscreen and skin aging. The study was published in June 4 on journal Annals of Internal Medicine.
Meanwhile, the study earned support from Deborah Sarnoff, a New York City dermatologist and a senior vice president at the Skin Cancer Foundation, saying that this new evidence can be a wakeup call for those who are not willing to use sunscreen to fight skin cancer. She told USA TODAY, "Maybe sheer vanity will encourage young people to be proactive and use their sunscreen, because the cancer fear doesn't seem to be getting through to them."
