Scientific studies have shown that sunscreen can help prevent and protect skin from cancer, but limited research exists about the impact sunscreen has on aging. A study published in the medical journal, The Annals of Internal Medicine, followed 900 participants in Australia, a place where the risk of sun damage to skin is real and regular, to determine how effective it can be when used to protect against wrinkles and other signs of aging.

The Study
Researchers chose subjects aged 25-55 and asked them to use sunscreen with an SPF of 15+ every day on their head, neck, arms and hands. The other group was told to use sunscreen at their own discretion. They took impressions of the participant’s hands at the start of the study and then again four and a half years later to look for signs of aging.

The Findings
Researchers reported that those who used the sunscreen every day had smoother skin after the four and a half years. This shows that daily use of sunscreen could play a role in preventing the aging process.

A Second Study
A very similar study was done with a smaller group of participants sponsored by Johnson &amp Johnson Consumer Inc. but conducted by scientific researchers at an independent lab. For one year, 32 participants were asked to apply sunscreen with SPF 30 to their entire face. They weren’t allowed to use any other products for the entire year that had anti-aging properties. They were evaluated by dermatologists at regular intervals and asked to do their own self-evaluations.

The dermatologists discovered that signs of photoaging began improving as early as 12 weeks into the process and continued to improve throughout the year. All 32 participants had better skin clarity and texture at the end of the study according to the dermatologists. The subjects’ self-assessments showed that half of the group, around 16, saw improvements in their skin in the areas of crow’s feet, redness, roughness, dullness and uneven tones.

What Does This Mean for You?
Using sunscreen every day can help protect skin from both cancer and aging. There are many options for daily use sunscreen including makeup products and moisturizers containing sunscreen which make it easy to add to your daily routine.

If you have any questions or are interesting in finding out how you can reverse the signs of aging more dramatically, call our office at 817-778-4444. We offer many products and services that can help you return your skin to that youthful glow and keep it there.