The sun has
been revered as a sacred being since prehistory. Our ancestors worshiped the
sun in its true sense – as life giver as well as the destroyer who could burn
one if s/he got too close. The past few generations have seen a new definition
of "sun worshipper" – those who bake in the sun to develop a
"sun-kissed" tan. Unfortunately, these sun worshippers are actually
getting too close to the sun and causing photodamage and photoaging to the
skin. Those who live in sunny climes, outdoor laborers, smokers, and fair skin
individuals are more susceptible to sun damage.
Normal
aging causes fine, pale wrinkling. Photodamage causes more coarse wrinkles and skin
roughness. Dark patches of increased pigmentation are visible as well,
sometimes referred to as "age spots." The skin develops a leathery,
dry appearance, and coarseness with deep lines is often seen. Broken blood
vessels can also form. In severe damage, the skin becomes thin and bruising
frequently occurs. In the worst cases, skin cancer develops, the most common
being basal skin carcinomas.
Antioxidants
can play a role in skin protection and repair as well as providing a
photo-protective benefit. Antioxidants include vitamins C and E. Vitamin C,
which is water soluble, is a free radical scavenger and required for collagen
synthesis. It may also reduce pigment synthesis, as well as enhance epidermal
barrier function. Vitamin E is lipid soluble, and combining with vitamin C, may
benefit skin protection. Plants, especially flavones and polyphenolic
compounds, can also provide antioxidant properties. Soy isoflavones have a
collagen synthesis effect and are scavengers of peroxyl radicals. Soy has also
been shown to reduce skin redness in animal models exposed to ultra-violet A.
Tea can be used both internally and externally to protect the skin. Drinking
black tea may reduce squamous cell carcinomas. Green tea, both topically and
orally, may also reduce skin cancer. Green tea polyphenols' protective effects
on skin have been found to be beneficial in both in vivo and in vitro trials.
Frankincense
or olibanum (oil of Lebanon)
was used in ancient Egypt
in facial masks to rejuvenate the skin as well as in cosmetics and perfume. The
oil has been used to anoint the dead and dying to assist in their transition
and was used as a main ingredient to preserve the pharaohs' bodies. Because the
oil helps slow down breathing and calm the mind, more oxygen can be taken into
the body. There has been some press lately that human oxygen levels have
decreased – another cause of aging – and using frankincense can help restore
oxygen levels. Because it is one of the sacred oils (See HC News 12-15-09), it
not only can be used to promote skin rejuvenation, protect from photodamage (See
HC 120691-392), and help with anti-inflammatory conditions, but the oil can
also help center the mind and provide focus. Frankincense hydrosols can be used
as skin toners, and the oil can be added to moisturizers.