The Top Seven Anti-aging Developments of 2007 - Part Three

5. Broad Spectrum Sun Protection

SPF only refers to a product’s level of protection against the sun’s UVB (or Burning rays). Two recently developed ingredients, Helioplex and Mexoryl, extend protection against the sun’s UVA (or Aging) rays and do so in two ways.



They are effective after application for twice as long as any prior UVA sun screen ingredient; and they protect against a broader spectrum of the sun’s rays. UVA rays are the most dangerous because they penetrate deep into the skin’s layers and cause cancer as well as visible signs of aging.



Dr. Allan Oseroff, dermatology chair at both the Roswell Park Cancer Institute and the University at Buffalo calls Helioplex the most important advance in sun protection in 20 years. Mexoryl "produces a product which gives us almost perfect protection against sunshine," according to Dr. Vincent DeLeo, chairman of dermatology at Columbia University.



Both Helioplex and Mexoryl are stabilized forms of Parsol 1789. Though Parsol 1789 very effectively absorbs UVA radiation, it is an unstable compound and loses 35% of its effectiveness after 15 minutes of sun exposure.



When buying topical sun protection products, be sure they contain both an SPF of 15 or more and either Mexoryl or Helioplex.



Tags: sun protection , Helioplex, Mexoryl