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Thursday, June 15, 2006

A New Wrinkle About Sun Protection
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Wrinkles are big business.
CORRECTION! Getting rid of wrinkles is big business.

Folks concerned about maintaining a youthful facial appearance abhor wrinkles. The most common methods to eliminate wrinkles are:

  • BOTOX injections that paralyze the muscle fibers that create the wrinkles;
  • INJECTABLE FILLERS like collagen or hyaluronic acid to puff-up the underlying skin;
  • COSMETIC SURGERY to tighten the flaccid skin; and
  • TOPICAL CREAMS to rehabilitate damaged skin; prescriptions like Retin-A and Avage.

Now, here comes a new wrinkle to this story. Since most of the aging changes are due to lifelong sun exposure it is important to apply a quality sunblock frequently after the facial wrinkles have been treated. Choose SPF15 or stronger. Otherwise, the aging changes will reappear before you know it. That means wasted time, wasted money, and overall dissatisfaction.

Here's a special tip for those who rely on topical creams to eliminate wrinkles. Many of the chemicals in popular sunblock lotions are irritating to the skin, especially skin that is treated with Retin-A or Avage. Check the label before buying. Make sure your sunblock does not contain Parsol or Avobenzone - either will recreate the effect of pouring gasoline on a campfire! The only widely available sunblock that has neither Parsol or Avobenzone is Purpose (Johnson & Johnson). Remember, only YOU can prevent forest fires!

Ready for another wrinkle? In most stores you won't find Purpose alongside the suntan lotions and other sunscreens. They stock it with the high-end moisturizers and expensive aesthetic rejuvenation products. It's worth the few extra steps to protect your new face!

DISCLAIMER: Product recommendations are based on published data. I have no financial interest in J&J and I was not compensated for any published statements. I have facial wrinkles.

Related Topics: Wrinkles Predict Smokers' Emphysema, Guide to Summer

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Posted by: Dr. Lloyd at 10:35 AM

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