Antioxidant is a popular term in all health care articles. We always encounter such a term whenever we read or browse health articles in the papers, books or magazines. Moreover, almost all advertisements and commercials of beauty and health products always mention antioxidants.
The question to ask ourselves to be able to understand the sudden hype about antioxidants is to know what it is and what can it do to our body.

Antioxidants are chemicals that prevent the oxidation of other chemicals. In biological systems, the normal processes of oxidation produce highly reactive free radicals that can readily react with and damage other molecules which may continue to damage even the body’s own cells. Antioxidants play the housekeeper’s role, “mopping up” free radicals before they get a chance to do harm in your body.

Although all the hype about antioxidants slowing down the signs of aging and promoting skin rejuvenation do not have a solid scientific basis, most skin experts are claiming that antioxidant vitamins and minerals can help in our overall well being by combating the free radicals in our body.

Here are several antioxidant nutrients which appear the most likely to produce benefits to your skin.

Vitamin A or Beta Carotene. It has been discovered that beta-carotene protects dark green, yellow and orange vegetables and fruits from solar radiation damage and it is thought that it plays a similar role in human body. Carrots, squash, broccoli, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, kale, collards, cantaloupe, peaches and apricots are particularly rich sources of beta-carotene.

Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) is a water-soluble compound that fulfills antioxidant role, among others, in living systems. Important sources include citrus fruits (like oranges, sweet lime etc.), green peppers, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, strawberries, raw cabbage and tomatoes.

Vitamin E is a principal fat-soluble antioxidant vitamin in the body. It protects cellular membranes, lipoproteins and other “oily” structures. Skin is high in unsaturated fatty acids (”oily” molecules especially susceptible to free radical damage), and can benefit from vitamin E protection (both oral and topical). Sources include wheat germ, nuts, seeds, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, vegetable oil and fish-liver oil.

Flavonoids are a diverse group of plant pigments with antioxidant properties that contain proanthocyanins and polyphenols that are good for the skin. These substances are responsible for color in many fruits, vegetables and flowers. In addition to providing color that attracts insects or animals, these pigments protect plants from environmental stress. In addition to being potent antioxidants, some flavonoids have antiallergic, anti-carcinogenic, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory activity. Over 4,000 flavonoids have been characterized and classified, but only a few have been researched.
Coenzyme Q10, lipoic acid, cysteine and methionine are potent antioxidants.

The social desirability of the tan is a modern phenomenon. The concept of having a tan without going outdoors became more and more appealing. People enjoy having a tan for innumerable reasons. Aside from cosmetic reasons of just having a good tan, people actually enjoy the therapeutic effects of tanning.

It was actually the Europeans who started tanning indoors with sunlamps. The practice of harnessing ultraviolet light as a therapeutic exercise spread in Europe, particularly in sun-deprived countries, in the 1970s. This was long before the first indoor tanning facility was established in the United Sates in the late 1970s.

Since then, the professional indoor tanning industry in the US has grown substantially in the past 30 years. According to industry estimates, it has grown into a $5 billion industry with 28 million Americans tanning indoors annually at about 25,000 tanning salons around the country.

The most popular device used in tanning salons is a clamshell-like tanning bed. The customer lies down on a Plexiglas surface as lights from above and below reach the body. However, indoor tanning units are alleged to have safety risks. While this is so, people - young women in particular - still patronize tanning salons. The development of photo aging and skin cancer will take years to become apparent in these young tanners, while the perceived social value of a tan is immediately apparent.

Tanning occurs when the skin produces additional pigment (coloring) to protect itself against ultraviolet rays. Overexposure to these rays can cause eye injury; premature wrinkling of the skin, light induced skin rashes, and can increase the chances of developing skin cancer. Even the indoor tanning industry admits ultraviolet radiation can cause skin cancer provided that it produces an actual burn.

However, industry spokespeople point out that the pattern of sun exposure that causes skin cancer, in particular melanoma and basal cell carcinoma, is not consistent with indoor tanning practices. For a given amount of UV light, the industry argues there is a difference between receiving the energy in many small doses that lead to a tan versus a few big doses that produce a burn.

So protect yourself from the possible risks of skin cancer.
Take note of the following precautions:

•    Limit your exposure to avoid sunburn. Always ask for information and further assistance concerning exposure limits for your age and skin type.

•    Use goggles to protect your eyes. Make sure the goggles fit snugly and check if the salon sterilizes the goggles to prevent the spread of eye infections.

Consider your medical history. Avoid tanning devices when you are undergoing treatment for lupus or diabetes. You might also want to inform the salon if you are taking antihistamines, tranquilizers or birth control pills.