Hey! I’m Tash, the TikTok Creator here at Jade & Joy. My main goal is to educate people on the importance of our products, especially our Vegan Collagen!
@jadeandjoyuk We’re so excited to bring a different side to Jade & Joy and show all the wonderful people who are involved 🫶🏼 #jadeandjoyuk #vegancollagen #veganproducts #nutrition #healthyproducts #vegan ♬ Aesthetic – Tollan Kim
@jadeandjoyukShop our Vegan Collagen Protein Bars on TikTok Shop! 🥰✨🌱
I grew up in Wales, which, as you might imagine, is mainly cold and rainy. So when I moved to Australia at 15, I wasn’t well-educated on sun protection or the dangers of excessive UV exposure. As a result, I now have quite a bit of sun-damaged skin and much lower collagen levels than I should at the age of 28 (you can check your own estimated collagen levels using our Collagen Calculator, btw!).
These days I am extremely cautious when it comes to enjoying the sun, and do everything I can to keep my collagen levels high including my daily Vegan Collagen bar!
However, this doesn’t mean I don’t still enjoy the sunshine. There are plenty of ways to protect your skin and collagen levels while still being exposed to UV rays. During my years living in Australia, I’ve picked up some pretty useful tips, and I’m here to share those with you so you can keep your skin safe, healthy, and full of collagen! Let’s get into it!
Unprotected sun exposure is one of the main causes of premature collagen loss & skin aging
So, how does the sunshine affect our skin? UV rays from the sun can penetrate the skin dermis, which is made up of collagen, elastin, and other fibres that supports the skin’s structure. These UV rays damage the collagen fibres, leading to loss of collagen over time.
Did you know that your body’s natural collagen levels drop by 1.5% every year from your mid 20’s? Various factors contribute to collagen loss but adding that extra sun exposure to your skin is going to make those levels plummet even faster!
Skin ageing is a natural process influenced by both internal and external factors! Among these, ultraviolet (UV) light plays a significant role in accelerating the ageing of our skin.
Understanding Skin Aging and the Role of UV Light
Aging is a natural process that affects our skin, influenced by both internal and external factors. One of the major external culprits? Ultraviolet (UV) light. Let’s break down how UV light accelerates skin aging and what you can do to protect yourself.
The Impact of UV Light on Skin Aging
UV light from the sun significantly contributes to skin aging, a process known as photoaging. This type of aging manifests as:
- Uneven skin pigmentation
- Thickened skin
- Loss of elasticity
- Lines and wrinkles
UV light is especially harmful during the warmer months when UV radiation (UVR) levels are high.
Types of UV Light
There are three types of UV wavelengths:
UVA (315nm-400nm) Penetrates deep into the skin, reaching the dermis and causing up to 20% absorption.
UVB (280nm-315nm) Primarily absorbed by the epidermis, leading to sunburn.
UVC (100nm-280nm) Almost entirely absorbed by the ozone layer, so it doesn’t affect the skin.
How you can get UV damage
Sunbeds
This is a massive no, no! Sunbeds use a high intensity UV radiation for quick tanning. UV radiation can damage the DNA in your skin cells. This can lead to skin cancer, including melanoma, which is the most serious type of skin cancer as well as destroying your collagen cells. You can’t always see the damage that UV rays cause as it can build up slowly. Don’t get caught out.
Sunbathing without UV protection
Anyone who spends a lot of time in the sun, whether it’s for work or play, are at a dramatically increased risk of skin cancer is they do not take the right precautions, not to mention accelerated collagen degradation.
Can UV Damage and Collagen Loss be reversed?
Regarding UV damage, the long answer is, unfortunately, no.
UV rays are incredibly destructive and teh effects are, for the most part, permanent which is why it is of the utmost importance to make good decisions and protect yourself when out in the sun.
There are however ways to stimulate your bodies natural collagen production through supplementation, diet and more.
How should I protect myself?
In Australia we take sun protection very seriously! Most suncream is at least a Factor 30 and there’s always catchy ad’s on how to protect yourself from the harmful UV Rays; one of my favourites is, Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek & Slide…
Slip – On clothes that will protect your skin from the sun
Slop – On your suncream all over your body before heading out
Slap – On a hat to protect your head from harmful UV rays
Seek – Seek shade to stay cool and stay away from direct sunlight
Slide – Slide on sunglasses to protect your eyes from the suns glare
Basically, we can enjoy the sunshine and all it has to offer without compromising the health of our skin!
What should I take from this?
UV exposure triggers a chain reaction in the skin. The free radicals produced by UV light cause oxidative stress, leading to inflammation and damage to collagen and elastin fibers. Although the skin can naturally repair and replace damaged collagen, this ability decreases with continued UV exposure. Over time, the once neat collagen bundles become disorganized and cross-linked, causing lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin.
Understanding how UV light ages the skin shows why it’s crucial to protect ourselves from the sun. By using sunscreen and wearing protective clothing, we can slow down the photoaging process and keep our skin healthier and more youthful.
TLDR
Be smart about your sun exposure: use sunscreen, wear a nice hat and some cool sunglasses, hang out in the shade and maybe snack on some delicious Jade & Joy Vegan Collagen bars to keep your skin safe and collagen levels up!
