The more often you drive, the older the left side of your face becomes, what is photoaging?

Driving and photoaging

Did you know that one side of the face ages faster when we drive? Researchers from the Department of Dermatology at Korea University Anam Hospital conducted a study on a group of people in their 50s or older who usually commute to work by self-driving, and found that the left side of the face suffered more damage from sunlight than the right.

The researchers divided the surface of the face into several sections and assessed the amount of light reaching each area and the degree of photoaging of the skin. It is said that the light energy reaches more on the left side, closer to the driver's window, than on the right, and more on the bottom than at the top. In particular, the left temple and the lower left eye area are the most vulnerable, and the left side of the face has more pigmentation and wrinkles than the right.

Commuting time shouldn't be safe either.

It is a well-known fact that people who drive as a profession are more prone to photoaging.

In the past, a photo titled "A driver with a half-old face" was controversial on an online community message board. This is a photograph of a truck driver in a paper reported by a team of researchers at Northwestern University in the United States, and it can be seen that the left side of his face is much more wrinkled and badly dented compared to the right. According to the researchers, "Only the left side of the face was exposed to sunlight for a long time, resulting in rapid aging due to the effects of ultraviolet A."

However, this study confirmed that photoaging can occur just by commuting time.

During rush hour, the sun's altitude is low, so less UVB (ultraviolet B) reaches the earth's surface, and relatively more UVA (ultraviolet A), visible light, and infrared rays. Because of this, it's easy to think that the light you receive during commuting hours is harmless to your skin. Our skin can be photodamaged not only by UVB, which has a short wavelength and high energy, but also by visible and infrared rays.

Sunscreen to prevent photoaging

If you commute by car, it's a good idea to apply sunscreen under your eyes, nose, temples, and chin every day, where a lot of sunlight hits. Wearing sunscreen is an important habit not only for commuting to work, but also for skin health in general.

Here are some tips for using sunscreen well.

It is recommended to reapply sunscreen every 2~3 hours a day. Over time, sunscreen can be washed away by sweat, sebum, and wind. In particular, it has been reported that reapplying sunscreen 20 minutes after the first application increases the effectiveness of sun protection.

If your skin barrier is not weak, it is recommended to double-cleanse your face after returning from applying sunscreen. In particular, if you have applied a sunscreen with a waterproof function or a high SPF value, it is recommended to wipe off dirt and impurities with a primary cleansing agent (water, lotion, etc.) and wash your face with foam with a foam cleanser.