NaturaLift MD Review Blog

Archive for the ‘Skincare Tips’ Category

Ginseng extract blocked carcinogens applied to the skin from causing skin cancer and inflammation. It inhibited the carcinogen TPA from causing an increase in the inflammation- and cancer-causing enzyme, ornithine decarboxylase, and “…expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in TPA-stimulated mouse skin was markedly suppressed. In addition, “… ginseng extract inhibited TPA-stimulated activation of NF-kappaB and extracellular-regulated protein kinase (ERK) in skin and human breast epithelial cells.” Topical ginseng extract also prevented the potent carcinogen TPA from causing multiple skin tumors.

Borage Oil & Gamma Linolenic Acid

Doctors confirmed that the topical application of ginseng extract “… led to the inhibition of TPA-induced expression of COX-2 as well as reducing the production of
prostaglandin E-2. The eukaryotic transcription factor NF-kappaB has been involved in intra-cellular signaling pathways associated with inflammation and carcinogenesis.” The use of the ginseng extract caused “… inactivation of NF-kappaB.” Furthermore, “…when ginseng extract was applied topically prior to TPA, expression and activity of ODC were inhibited dose-dependently.” Ginseng extract also “… inhibited the activation of ERK. Additionally: “… the ginseng extract given prior to each topical dose of TPA markedly lowered the number of papillomas.”

Melanoma, usually appearing as an enlarging black mole, spreads rapidly throughout the body and is lethal. In laboratory tests, ginseng extract was documented to slow the growth of these malignant cells as well as causing their death.

Researchers tested to see if GLA would help the anti-breast cancer drug tamoxifen not only penetrate the skin of patients with breast cancer, but also continue deeper to penetrate into their tumors. Yes, it did: “… [i]t was determined that 2.5 molecules of GLA were associated with each molecule of tamoxifen in the permeation process.”

GLA has itself been shown to be an anti-cancer agent against human breast cancer. This has effects against both estrogen-dependent and estrogen-independent cancer cells. At the beginning of this published article which appeared in a prominent cancer journal, these researchers stated as their basis for undertaking their 2004 study, whose positive outcome was just summarized above: “… [t]he omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid gamma linolenic acid (GLA) has raised recent interest as a novel anti-cancer agent as it possesses effective tumorcidal properties while not inducing damage to normal cells or creating harmful side effects.”

NexDerma® Naturalift MD: Advanced Face Lift Therapy helps block, mitigate, and reverse the effects of ultraviolet radiation on the skin through the ingredients described below.

BHT

“The fact that only a modest, measured protective effect can elicit a dramatic decrease in actinic damage (particularly with regard to cancer) upholds this concept as an important goal.”

This resulted from scientific research conducted by the Photobiology Laboratory on the oral effects of BHT. However, when BHT is ingested with food, it’s very diluted by the time it reaches the skin. Topical applications of BHT were studied in depth. “… BHT offered significant protection (against ultraviolet light mediated sunburn) when applied topically.” Topically applied BHT blocks the cancer causing agent (TPA) from stimulating the cancer-causing enzyme ODC by 80 percent.

“These results demonstrate an early and direct inhibition of TPA-induced ODC activity by lipophilic phenolic antioxidants (including BHT) and suggest a role for reactive oxygen and/or free radical species in tumor promotion.”

CoenzymeQ-10 (Ubiquinone)

It’s essential to avoid the sun. And, never forget to apply a skin protective therapy containing the correct concentration of coenzyme Q-10 and the natural forms of vitamin E (alpha, beta, gamma, and delta tocopherols, and tocotrienols).

Doctors and skin research scientists report that:

“Coenzyme Q-10, or Ubiquinone, is a nutrient - a vitamin-like substance which plays a crucial role in the generation of cellular energy and in free radical scavenging in the human body. After the age of 35 to 40, the organism (YOU) begins to lose its ability to synthesize CoQ-10 from food, and its deficiency develops. Aging, poor eating habits, stress and infection - they will all affect your ability to provide adequate amounts of CoQ-10.”

Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

Extra virgin olive oil is a potent antioxidant. When applied before exposure to UV-B, experiments have demonstrated it helps protect the skin from developing cancer. This result was also documented when extra virgin olive oil was applied to the skin after UV-B exposure. Dermatologists conducting the study reported:

“Mice that received extra virgin olive oil after UV-B exposure showed significantly lower numbers of tumors per mouse than those in the UV-B control group throughout the experimental period.”

Another study reported that:

“…there were lower levels of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG: a carcinogenic agent) in epidermal nuclei. These results indicate that extra virgin olive oil topically applied after UV-B exposure can effectively reduce UV-B-induced murine skin tumors (by 62%), possibly via its antioxidant effects in reducing DNA damage by reactive oxygen species.”

“In this study the effects of hydroxytyrosol (DOPET), the major antioxidant compound present in extra virgin olive oil on UV-A induced cell damages, have been investigated using human melanoma cells.”

Further: “… [t]hese protective effects are dose dependent.”

Doctors studied the effect of extra virgin olive oil topically-applied to the skin before each of multiple doses of x-rays: “… [t]he data indicated a definite radioprotective effect of the topical administration of extra virgin olive oil.”

Authors of a related article pointed out that: “… regular olive oil neither retarded nor reduced skin cancer formation in UV-irradiated mice. Our results suggest that daily topical use of extra virgin olive oil after sunbathing may delay and reduce UV-induced skin cancer development in human skin, possibly by decreasing reactive oxygen species-induced 8-OHdG which is responsible for gene mutation.”130 They also noted that: “…[a]ntioxidants vitamin E and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) extracted from green tea, applied topically to the skin, delayed the onset of UV-induced skin cancer in mice.”

Ginkgo Biloba Extract

Applied to the skin, this compound is very protective against the free radical
generation caused by UV-B irradiation. Ginkgo biloba extract is both protective against ultraviolet radiation and therapeutic, even when applied after exposure. When tested orally, ginkgo biloba extract protected skin from ultraviolet radiation better than orally-ingested beta carotene and vitamin E. Ginkgo biloba extract controls stress-induced free radicals.

Ginseng Extract (Panax)

Ginseng extract:

“…significantly reduced ultraviolet-B induced cell death and protected human keratinocytes from apoptosis caused by ultraviolet-B irradiation.” Biochemically it “…prevented ultraviolet-B-induced cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (a critical enzyme) in keratinocytes. In search of the molecular mechanism responsible for the anti-apoptotic effect of the ginseng extract, we find that protection from ultraviolet-B-induced apoptosis is tightly correlated with the ginseng extract mediated inhibition of ultraviolet-B-induced down-regulation (decreasing the genetic molecular activity) of Bcl-2 (toxic compound) and Brn-3a (toxic compound) expression.”

Green Tea Extract & EGCG

Since many of the toxic reactions causing aging in cells were accelerated by a combination of UV-A and/or UV-B plus topically applied toxic chemicals, experiments were performed to see how effectively EGCG prevents photoaging. The results were very impressive: from excellent to good, depending on doses of sunlight, toxic chemical and type used, and the amount of EGCG applied. Many documented both anti-cancer and anti-photoaging effects of EGCG.

EGCG protects the extracellular matrix (ECM) from oxidative stress from ultraviolet radiation.

“EGCG can reverse the ECM degradation induced by UV even with a topical application of a practical-use concentration. In particular, EGCG proved to be much more effective in ROS-related conditions, such as UVA exposure.”

Magnesium-L-Ascorbyl-Phosphate (Vitamin C)

Magnesium-L-ascorbyl-phosphate, a form of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), is absorbed into the skin where it is continuously and safely converted into ascorbic acid. It is not acidic like l-ascorbic acid, which stings and burns skin and is a serious danger to the eyes.

“Pretreatment with magnesium-L-ascorbyl-phosphate significantly prevented such photo-damage as sunburn cell formation, DNA fragmentation and lipid (fatty compounds such as cell membranes) peroxidation which were caused by a single dose of UVB irradiation. These results [of this study] suggest that the protective effect of magnesium-L-ascorbyl-phosphate on UVB-induced cutaneous damage is due to the maintenance of a normal ascorbic acid level by conversion of magnesium-L-ascorbyl-phosphate to ascorbic acid in skin tissue.”

Can topically-applied ascorbic acid protect skin against UV-B radiation? No:

“In this study, AsA (also known as ascorbic acid) could not inhibit cytotoxicity, but AA-2P (Ascorbyl phosphate) and AA-2G was able to cancel the harmful effect of UV-B when treated at high levels of 0.5-5 mM.”

Magnesium-L-ascorbyl-2-phosphate is a potent antioxidant, protecting the skin from ultraviolet sunlight.

“…after acute and chronic exposure to UVB irradiation … administration of magnesium-L-ascorbyl-2-phosphate immediately after acute exposure to 15kJ/m¹ of UVB significantly prevented increases of UVB-induced lipid peroxidation in skin. Administration of magnesium-L-ascorbyl-2-phosphate immediately after each exposure significantly delayed skin tumor formation and hyperplasia induced by chronic exposure to UVB. Magnesium-L-ascorbyl-2-phosphate, once converted in the skin to ascorbic acid, exhibits such inhibitory effects by scavenging hydroxyl and lipid radicals generated as a direct or indirect result of UVB exposure.”

Note: Ascorbyl palmitate (C-ester) is toxic to skin cells when applied topically and exposed to sunlight, as noted by the prestigious Mayo Clinic.

Resveratrol

Resveratrol is an antioxidant more powerful than vitamin E. It was compared to seven other well known antioxidants that are used to preserve food, including vitamin E. Resveratrol was very potent in stopping lipid peroxidation. It was also good at scavenging the hydroxyl-activated ion (OH), beating out vitamin E in both essential categories of antioxidant function. But neither was effective against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). That’s why the correct combinations of potent antioxidants are required for optimal protection.

Resveratrol applied topically to the skin is photo-chemo-protective against acute and chronic sunlight damage, decreases tumor-causing enzymes, and protects lipids and related critical substances.

Doctors at the University of Wisconsin Department of Dermatology studied the chemopreventive effects of resveratrol against UV-B radiation-mediated skin tumorigenesis. They concluded: “… [t]he topical application of skin with Resveratrol resulted in a highly significant 1) inhibition in tumor incidence, and 2) delay in the onset of tumorigenesis. Interestingly, the post-treatment of Resveratrol was found to impart equal protection
than the pretreatment; suggesting that Resveratrol-mediated responses may not be sunscreen effects.”

Superoxide Dismutase

Doctors at the Jefferson Medical College Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology showed the power of superoxide dismutase “… to protect against ultraviolet-A and ultraviolet-B induced damage. The ability of superoxide dismutase to prevent radiation-induced elastin promoter activation was determined in vivo. Superoxide dismutase (analog Temprol) provided over 50% protection against ultraviolet B and over 70% protection against ultraviolet A.” They recommended this agent “… to prevent cutaneous aging.”

A study of comparing biopsies of sun-damaged skin of young volunteers with biopsies of undamaged control sites:

“In photo-aged skin, a significant depletion of antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase expression was observed within the stratum corneum and in the epidermis. Importantly, an accumulation of oxidatively modified proteins was found specifically within the upper dermis.”

Skin cells were subjected to sunlight, and volunteers were also subjected to 10 days of sunlight.

“Exposures of keratinocytes and fibroblasts to ultraviolet B, ultraviolet A, and hydrogen peroxide led to a dose-dependent protein oxidation and thus confirmed in vivo results. In conclusion, the correlation between photo-damage and protein oxidation was demonstrated for the first time, which hence may be a relevant pathophysiologic factor in photo-aging.”

This directly relates to how oxidative stress hastens cellular death: “… [w]hen the cells are grown under conditions of oxidative stress, cellular longevity is markedly shortened.” This occurs despite the Hayflick Limit, where the “… human maximal lifespan can be equal to about 145 years.”

Titanium Dioxide

Only titanium dioxide (Ti02) offers protection against all varieties of ultraviolet radiation. Fortunately, it also provides 80% to 100% protection against blue light.

It was considered that the inorganic metal oxides such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide only reflected sunlight. But, “… [t]his is not the case with modern micronized forms of metal oxides. It has been shown that both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide mobilize electrons within their atomic structure while absorbing UV radiation.” They reflect and neutralize UV by absorbing the energy, as sun blocks should. These researchers, and many others, concluded that titanium dioxide, as well as zinc oxide, “…are stable, non-toxic, and safe, and they act as highly efficient UV attenuators.”

In a series of exquisite experiments, researchers used very fine particulate titanium dioxide at concentrations of 1%, 5%, and 10% against three increasingly higher doses of UV-B radiation. They also compared these results to the well known sunscreens of para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and urocanic acid, each at a 1% concentration. The control was plain petrolatum. They determined the effect of UV-B on the DNA of living skin. The results showed that both PABA and the urocanic acid provided poor protection, while titanium dioxide gave 100% protection at the 1% solution level. DNA was unchanged from the non-irradiated controls. The protection achieved by a 5% concentration was the same as with 1%, but was effective against double the level of UV-B radiation.

Vitamin A

A major study evaluating the effectiveness of retinaldehyde (a safe and effective topical precursor of vitamin A) found that:

“…UV-A exposure induced significant alterations of collagen and elastic fibers. In all UV-A exposed and then retinaldehyde-treated skin specimens, collagen and elastic fibers were restored to the level of non-exposed skin.”

Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol)

In an extensive study, scientists applied the active form of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) to the exposed skin of albino hairless mice before each UV exposure. Then the mice were exposed to ultraviolet radiation at a moderate strength (11 J/cm¹) for two hours a day, five days per week, for 20 weeks. Wrinkles formed in the untreated skin. This was documented in photographs. Microscopically, there was a loss of fat cells and an increase of fibrous tissue. No wrinkles were seen in skin topically treated with cholecalciferol; microscopically, the skin remained normal.

“…[V]itamin D3 is efficacious against fibrosis (scar tissue formation) in the lower dermis induced by chronic solar-stimulating UV irradiation. The application of vitamin D3 on the dorsal skin prior to irradiation prevented the disappearance of adipocytes. Taken together, solar-stimulating UV irradiation effects on the proliferation and differentiation of skin cells including adipocytes, fibroblasts, and keratinocytes, resulted in hyperplasia (thickening) of epidermis and fibrosis (scar tissue formation) of adipose tissue. Cholecalciferol prevents these phenomena.”

Vitamin E (Natural Alpha Tocopherol and Tocotrienols)

The natural forms of vitamin E (alpha tocopherol and tocotrienols) are fat-soluble antioxidants that scavenge many free radicals, including lipid peroxyl radicals. Vitamin E absorbs only UV-B, not UV-A (vitamin A absorbs both UV-B and UV-A). However, the stratum corneum is very depleted of alpha-tocopherol following a single acute exposure to either UV-A or UV-B, or both. The destruction of the surface-level alpha tocopherol is also caused by the secondary effects of ultraviolet irradiation that generates free radicals.

Vitamin E has been demonstrated to decrease the severity of UV-caused skin wrinkling by 75% and also significantly decreases erythema and edema from UV injury.

Zinc Oxide

Zinc helps prevent UV-B cell apoptosis, even when it is used after exposure. Zinc can also protect fibroblast cells, allowing them to resist the oxidative stress from both UV-A and UV-B.

A zinc solution was tested to see if it protects skin from ultraviolet light so intense that it would be two times the minimal dose needed to cause sunburn. It was applied topically either five days in a row or one time two hours before exposure. Both methods reduced the percentage of sunburn cells.

In other experiments, researchers also tested the topical use of zinc to see what, if any, effect it would have when applied topically one or two hours after ultraviolet light exposure. In this, zinc even offered 25% protection when applied as late as one hour after ultraviolet exposure, but none when initially applied two hours after exposure. The zinc oxide in NexDerma® Naturalift MD: Advanced Face Lift Therapy provides continuing protection.

Dimethicone

When tested against a chemical known to cause irritant contact dermatitis (sodium lauryl sulfate), dermatologists at the University of California School of Medicine stated:

“This study demonstrated that appropriate dimethicone skin protection products may provide certain benefits from surfactant irritant contact dermatitis. The skin protection lotion may be used to prevent irritant contact dermatitis in home or work environments, where skin irritants may induce dermatitis or eczema.”

Dexpanthenol (Vitamin B5)

Many medical professionals suffer from irritant-caused dermatitis or from a contact dermatitis (such as a reaction to poison ivy). 38% of 262 subjects had severe skin stress, 31% had severely dry skin, and 17% had dermatological diseases of the hands. After just three weeks of topical application of dexpanthenol:

• 79% rated their skin condition as improved or normal.
• 95% rated their results as good or very good compared with the awful condition of their skin before beginning treatment, and against problems experienced with other forms of treatment.

Contact allergy from dexpanthenol is very rare, and the FDA recognizes dexpanthenol as Generally Recognized As Safe. Dexpanthenol has been referred to as atoxic; in fact, it has been used to treat dry eyes and to aid healing corneal ulcers that often result from the overuse of contact lenses.

Ginkgo Biloba Extract

Ginkgo biloba extract has been shown to be very non-allergenic, even in highly allergic patients. Furthermore, it has demonstrated strong anti-allergy activity in patients whose skin is highly reactive to contact dermatitis. In tests, ginkgo biloba proved to be an anti-irritant substance for the skin. Among many substances tested for their anti-irritant protection of skin, ginkgo biloba was among the few noted to be beneficial.

Ginkgo biloba extract stimulates fibroblast cells to secrete healing collagen. In addition to enhancing the amount of collagen in aging skin, it is also anti-inflammatory. Other positive benefits of ginkgo biloba include the fact that it:

• Stops the loss of skin pigmentation and aids re-pigmentation in cases of vitiligo.
• Stimulates skin circulation.
• Increases blood flow to the brain in patients with demonstrated arteriosclerotic lesions.
• Demonstrates positive benefits in patients suffering from polyneuropathies.

Zinc Oxide

The body requires zinc in a salt form, which is a form of zinc (zinc +2) attached to an ion. Zinc salts, unlike other metal salts of nickel and chromium, do not cause contact allergy as noted in the very sensitive local lymph node assay test for contact allergens.

Vitamin E (Natural Alpha Tocopherol & Tocotrienols)

Natural vitamin E (alpha tocopherol and tocotrienols) is essential for the health and protection of the skin. It is a lipid-soluble antioxidant. The skin contains many forms of fat, including cell membranes. These skin fats are subject to severe stress, including peroxidation from free radicals. Vitamin E:

• Reduces roughness.
• Decreases length and depth of wrinkles.
• Is a potent fat soluble antioxidant.
• Decreases severity of UV-irradiation caused wrinkles.
• Reduces harmful collegenase, the enzyme that eats” collagen.
• Absorbs UV-B sunlight to protect the skin.

Note: Topical application increases skin vitamin E levels up to 62 times. Also, the tocotrienol form of vitamin E is 50 times more powerful than its other forms.

Vitamin E must be completely replaced on the surface of the skin, as well as in the epidermal and dermal layers. This cannot be accomplished through diet alone. Although orally-ingested vitamin E is essential for health, it is not sufficient to replace vitamin E needed in the skin to prevent lipid peroxidation. Topical therapy with vitamin E is essential to protect, preserve, and heal the skin, through daily use.

Synthetic forms of vitamin E are cheaper and less effective. These are a mixture of the biologically active D and the biologically inactive L forms. The D and L forms are mirror image shapes of the same compound (an example of chiral technology). But the body only uses the D form. This is true for both the tocopherol and tocotrienol compounds, but not for synthetic tocopherol acetate. Although tocopherol acetate is the most commonly used form of vitamin E, it has the lowest conversion rate to alpha-tocopherol than all other varieties.

Whether you consume sugar in soda, candy, cereals, bread, potatoes, carrots, or anything sweet, or in complex carbohydrates that are broken down into simple sugars, it interferes with the skin’s ability to maintain its youthful texture and appearance.

High blood glucose interferes with the ability of fibroblast cells to produce the skin’s ground matrix substances, collagen and hyaluronic acid. A child’s skin has these in abundance; adults can rebuild this abundant supply, using NexDerma® Naturalift MD: Advanced Face Lift Therapy.

Glucose & Skin. High glucose has been shown to limit the healing ability of skin by hurting fibroblast cell function. Fibroblasts are cells that produce the ground matrix substances collagen and hyaluronic acid. These ground matrix substances also hold everything in the body together, make the skin soft and plump, and allows for flexibility at the same time.

Glucose also attaches to proteins, a process known as glycation. As time passes, metabolism alters glycation, resulting in advanced glycation end-products that directly damage cell membrane lysosomes. Lysomes have potent enzymes that defend the body by attacking and destroying foreign matter, such as bacteria.

Advanced glycation end-products hasten photoaging of skin by increasing the negative effects of free radical oxidants, including the oxygen molecule with a missing electron (O2-), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and the hydroxyl ion (OH-) generated from UV-A sunlight. These advanced glycation end-products directly reduce the skin’s ability to synthesize hyaluronic acid.

Glycemic Index v. Glycemic Load. Understanding the difference between glycemic index and glycemic load will help you determine what to eat and why. This directly affects weight as well as health and appearance and is of even more importance if you are diabetic.

Not all carbohydrates are equal in their ability to raise blood sugar levels. The ability to raise the level of sugars in the blood per gram of carbohydrate weight is the glycemic index. Refined sugar has a glycemic index of 100. Some foods have more carbohydrates by weight than others. The carbohydrate weight for a serving times the glycemic index is the glycemic load.

Not all foods contain the same percentage of carbohydrates by weight. Some foods with a high glycemic index contain only a small amount by weight of high glycemic index carbohydrates. For example, the average serving of cooked carrots has a glycemic load of only 1.5.

A half-cup of watermelon has a glycemic index of 72, but its glycemic load is only 4. On the other hand, a 12-ounce soft drink has a glycemic index of 68 and a glycemic load of 35.

Sugar. Sugar binds to body protein components, including col agen in the skin and the walls of arteries, and causes severe damage. These sugar-bound compounds are called advanced glycation end-products (AGE). AGE is an appropriate and ironic way of describing what this does to the skin: cause more and deeper wrinkles.

Sugar interferes with fibroblast cells. High and medium glycemic index and glycemic load carbohydrates raise blood sugar too high after consumption. In addition, sugar causes fibroblast cells to be “… resistant to growth factors such as IGF-1 and EGF.”

What is SPF?

SPF is a measure of UV-B, not UV-A, protection. High SPF sunscreen lotions let you cook more slowly before you get burned. Remember: much damage is done by pre-burn irradiation! As you bake in the belief that SPF 15 or 50 gives you 100% protection, you’re threatened as much by potential skin cancer and premature aging as if you used nothing. Furthermore, many chemicals in sunscreens are absorbed by your body are toxic.

In 2003, the findings of an article published by a team of research physicians included:

SPF 15 does not block UV-B. A sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 was considered to completely block ultraviolet radiation. The logic behind that cutoff point was that sunscreens with this SPF number would always prevent erythema and that preventing erythema prevents the ill effects of UV exposure. Both these assumptions were wrong.

Incorrect sunblock application. These physicians further showed that users apply only “… about one-quarter to one-half thickness of the layer of sunscreen material used to measure the SPF in the laboratory.”

SPF applies to UV-B only. SPF does not protect against UV-A. Therefore, use of an SPF 30 product may only have the effective range of an SPF of 15 or even 7³, if not properly applied. That allows a low-grade attack on the skin, even without any burning or redness. The researchers also clearly noted: “… [a]significant injury, DNA damage, mutations, and carcinogenesis can and do occur with cumulative sub-erythemal UV exposure. Thus, erythema induction, a criterion that defines SPF, is not a good indicator of UV damage. We also need higher SPF values to prevent the damage caused by sub-erythema doses of UV.”

In addition, these physicians noted that there are: “… environmental factors that are not taken into account during SPF measurements in the laboratory, such as sweating, water immersion, rubbing off, and photo-degradation.”

Sunscreens. SPF protection is illusory since pre-burn exposure does much chronic damage. The cumulative effect of ultraviolet bombardment damages genes in a normal cell, eventually making that cell a cancer factory.

The Beach. A beach umbrella blocks sunlight, not ultraviolet radiation. The sand on the beach is also a threat: it reflects UV-A and UV-B rays onto exposed, vulnerable skin.

Clothing. Most light clothing is worthless against exposure; ultraviolet radiation comes from a source that essentially explodes millions of hydrogen bombs every second. Summer clothing is lighter, thinner, and less protective. Some clothing is now SPF-rated, but how does it stand up, wash after wash? (Check Consumer Reports.)

Shade. The shade from the side of a house, for example, offers some protection. The best UV-A and UV-B block comes from full shade under thick foliage. But it’s impossible to stay in the forest all day long, each day of the week.

“Patch test” any skin lotion or sunblock before you use it to ensure its safe and non-allergenic use.

1. Avoid excessive, unprotected exposure to sunlight.
2. Wear a wide-brim hat outdoors.
3. Use a sunblock rated at least SPF 45 - one that blocks UV-A safely as well as UV-B - when outside for prolonged periods.
4. Wear heavier, SPF-rated clothing outdoors.
5. Avoid the use of tanning booths.

Note: The best mitigation against solar ultraviolet exposure is to avoid sunlight between 10:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M.!

Here are commonly-used ways to treat skin problems including ways on how Naturalift MD:  Advanced Face Lift Therapy can help treat skin problems while replenishing and nourishing your skin.

Cleansing tips and basic skin care practices:

1. Wash the skin with warm or cool water. Don’t use hot water; never have the force of the shower hit your face. Use your hands to cup water to splash onto your face.

2. Never use any soap or detergent containing sodium or ammonium lauryl or laureth sulfate - it is too harsh.

3. Moisturize the skin immediately after washing it clean. It will have
absorbed water; the moisturizer will help hold the water. Remember, moisture gained from a shower is lost in one or two hours.

4. Drink adequate amounts of water.

5. Significantly increase the skin’s natural sponge: hyaluronic acid. Help
the skin create hyaluronic acid by topically applying its building
block, glucosamine sulfate, along with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory
compounds, and herbal extracts, such as those in NexDerma® Naturalift
MD: Advanced Face Lift Therapy. Use liberally two or three times each
day.

Naturalift MD: Advanced Face Lift Therapy contains powerful and safe natural nutrients for the skin that can be topically applied daily, forever. NaturalLift MD does not have artificial colors, fragrances or paraben preservatives so it is safe to use twice daily for maximum benefits.  These have been scientifically proven to block the toxic actions of free-radical oxidants and carcinogens, as well as inflammatory, carcinogenic, and aging compounds created within the skin in reaction to their negative effects.

Aside from the daily application of NaturaLift MD, here are some helpful tips to counter UV exposure:

1. Avoid excessive, unprotected exposure to sunlight.
2. Avoid the use of tanning booths.
3. Use a sunblock rated at least SPF 45 — one that blocks UV-A safely as well as UV-B — when outside for prolonged periods
4. Avoid excessive, unprotected exposure to sunlight.
5. Wear a wide-brim hat outdoors.
6. Use a sunblock rated at least SPF 45 — one that blocks UV-A safely as well as UV-B — when outside for prolonged periods.
7. Wear heavier, SPF-rated clothing outdoors.
8. Avoid the use of tanning booths.

The best mitigation against solar ultraviolet exposure is to avoid sunlight between 10:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M., following a healthy diet, including fruits, vegetables, and certified organic foods. Thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables with soap and water to remove pesticides and germs. Avoid chlorinated water and use of potent oral supplements.  Furthermore, avoid smoking.

Sunlight causes the skin to age, develop wrinkles, and triggers almost all skin cancers. How can this, the source of life on Earth, be so destructive to the skin? How can you prevent and reverse the damage from years of chronic exposure?

When you look in a mirror under good light, you see the effects of sunlight on the skin: the onset of fine wrinkles, established coarse wrinkles, sallow complexion, loss of luster, drying and cracking, and sagging. It’s not too late to reverse the aging process.

First of all, there are three - not two - forms of dangerous rays. And, since UV-A actually is composed of two variants, there are really four!

• UV-A. UV-A, with a wavelength from 320nm to 340nm, causes skin cancer and wrinkles. There is a longer-wavelength UV-A with a wavelength between 340nm-400nm.
• UV-B. The wavelength of UV-B has a frequency range from 290nm to 320nm. It causes sunburn and contributes to skin cancer and wrinkles.
• UV-C. This has the strongest energy, and potentially the most destructive. UV-C is, however, effectively filtered by ozone in the upper atmosphere.
• “Blue Light”. And finally there is the visible sunlight range, which scientists call blue light. This is not that special to the skin, especially if you’re one of those unfortunate individuals who have visible light sensitivity.

Here are the known adverse actions of sunlight on the skin:

Free radicals. These are toxic molecules resulting from exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Oxygen, the essential element to life, is damaged and contributes to the creation of reactive oxygen species. Free radicals can oxidize fatty molecules, a process known as lipid peroxidation. That’s a catastrophe because the cell needs a functional plasma membrane to sustain life. When the membrane is damaged by lipid peroxidation, the cell begins to age rapidly and die. This membrane is composed of two layers of fatty substances, which, when oxidized, fail to function. These oxidation bullets” attack at random, but the more unblocked sunlight hitting the skin, the more free radicals are generated in all layers of the skin.Free radicals are generated not only by ultraviolet sunlight: weather, and other pollutants such as smoke, chlorine, harsh detergents, and cosmetics also create them.

Reactive oxygen species damage cell membranes by the peroxidation of fatty acids in the phospholipid structure of the membrane. Unfortunately, the process doesn’t stop there. Peroxidation forms lipid peroxide radicals, lipid hydroperoxides, and other lipid fragmentation products, which are active oxidizing agents. This chain reaction, in which electrons are removed from lipids such as cell membrane phospho-lipids, give rise to more lipid radicals. As long as there is oxygen in the system, this chain reaction will continue and lipid peroxides will continue to accumulate until they are reduced by antioxidants in the skin.

Free radical reactivity generates a chain reaction of many free radical species production, enhancing skin aging and skin cancer.

Loss of Fat-Soluble Nutrients. The top of the skin is covered by natural protective secretions called skin surface lipids (SSL). These are: “… a very complex mixture of sebum mixed with small amounts of epidermal lipids, which mantle the human epidermis, thus representing the outermost protection of the body against oxidative insults.” The body of a well-nourished, healthy, and non-stressed child or an older person may make an adequate amount of coenzyme Q-10. However, exposure to four times the amount of sunlight that causes just some redness of the skin depletes protective SSLs by 70% of coenzyme Q-10 and 84% of vitamin E.

Cumulative Ultraviolet Light Exposure. Sub-chronic sunlight (UV-A and UV-B radiation) exposure is the sum of what you’ve been getting all your life. It does not result in sunburn or a noticeable tan, but it wreaks havoc on the skin. In 2002, scientists finally examined this problem histologically and found these harmful effects:

• After just one month, there was obvious epidermal hyperplasia (thickening of the outer layer of the skin). In three months, that progressed to “… epidermal thickening and formation of epidermal ingrowths projecting into the dermis.”
• The “… keratinocytes were somewhat pleomorphic.” These keratinocytes developed “… cytoplasmic projections which migrated into the dermis.” What should have been a well-defined junction between the epidermis and dermis, the basement membrane,” began to “… disappear along with the development of edema spreading from the upper dermis to the epidermis.”
• Furthermore, “… [i]n the dermis, in addition to edema, fibroblast proliferation and mast cell infiltration progressed with time, and degranulation was obvious at two and three months. In the upper dermis, especially beneath the epidermis, decrease in diameter and disintegration of collagen fibrils (the main structural protein compound of the skin) were observed.”

That was after only three months.

Although body needs vitamin D to build and maintain strong bones and creates it from sunlight, exposure to ultraviolet sunlight also damages skin and is a significant factor in the development of skin cancer. Therefore, the body developed a natural defense against ultraviolet radiation that allowed the synthesis of vitamin D: melanin pigmentation. Since the equatorial zone of the Earth receives much more sunlight than northern zones, races and ethnic groups native to this region usually have much more melanin than those whose genetic roots are in the northern hemisphere.

The relative dearth of sunlight in the northern climate zones dictated that the skin of those who developed there have far less melanin so that they can synthesize an adequate amount of vitamin D in body fat. Fish liver oil can help supply vitamin D - the discovery and exploitation of the cod fisheries in the north Atlantic is one of the main reasons for the colonization of North America by northern Europeans.

Although all metabolic functions, including exercise, generate free radicals, exercise is much more beneficial for you than the little harm caused from free radicals it produces. Neither glass windows nor most clothing fully block sunlight, adding to sub-chronic exposure.