Too much sun bad for your skin, warn dermatologists

JAKARTA (JP): Too much sun is bad for your skin. But then so is too much soap, hot baths, detergents, cleansing lotions, smoking, drinking liquor and even coffee.

The warning about the hazards to the skin was made by dermatologists during a one-day seminar Saturday.

Lily L. Soepardiman of the Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital said that too long exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays can cause premature aging of the skin, especially on women.

"Ultraviolet radiation can make people's skin age earlier than the natural process," said Lily, who works at the hospital's dermatology and venereal diseases division.

People who are aging develop wrinkles, specks, dry and rough skin, Lily said.

The seminar on "Skin Aging Problem" attracted more than 500 participants, most of them women.

Lily suggested that people stay out of the sun between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.. If they have to go out, they should wear a hat, sunscreen lotion or use an umbrella to protect their skin from the sun.

For women, premature aging of skin can be very distressing, she said. "Most women care about their appearance and premature aging is the last thing they expect to happen to them."

S.C. Kurniati of the Tangerang General Hospital said skin aging differs from person to person, but normally it starts after one turns 30.

Exposure to ultraviolet rays quickens the process, said Kurniati, who works in the hospital's dermatology and venereal disease division. "Premature aging of the skin affects parts of the body such as the face, ears, hands and the back of the neck."

Fortunately, she said, there are now plenty of lotions,rereams and other treatments available to slow down the process and help women maintain their youthful appearance.

But even then there are hazards to watch out for, she warned.

"The wrong kind of treatment could cause premature aging," Kurniati said.

Too frequent use of soaps, hot baths, detergents or cleansing lotion with high levels of alcohol, will remove the fat from the skin's surface. "It will make the skin very dry and induce aging," she said.

She said some habits also cause premature aging of the skin. "Smoking, drinking liquor or coffee too much will disturb the blood's circulation, which will affect the skin's nutrition."

Yudanarso Dawud, director of the Persahabatan General Hospital in East Jakarta, said pollution from car exhaust and industrial chimneys are other factors that lead to premature aging.

"Unfortunately, efforts to curtail air pollution have been slow while the number of people with skin-related diseases is growing," he said.

Persahabatan Hospital treats more than 20,000 patients for skin problems each year.

Also present at the seminar were deputy director of the Jakarta Skin Center Edwin Djuanda and Ratna H. Purwoko, a dermatologist from Pelni hospital. (31)