Japanese researchers have found that a bath or hot compress can increase the proteins that protect cells and prevent wrinkles caused by UV exposure. The research paper will soon be published in the American Journal of Dermatological Research. UV radiation causes collagen loss, which is an important cause of wrinkles. Researchers at Keio University and other institutions in Japan first warmed the backs of experimental rats with warm water and then irradiated their backs with UV light for five minutes each time, three times a week for 10 weeks, and gradually increased the intensity to that of sunlight in high summer. It was found that the rats’ backs were visibly wrinkled if warm water equivalent to body temperature of 37 degrees Celsius was applied to their backs, but no wrinkles were produced if warm water at 42 degrees Celsius was applied to their backs. Further experiments showed that heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) was increased in the cells when 42 degrees Celsius water was applied to the backs of the rats because of heat stress. The team modified the genes of the rats to produce HSP70 without the heat, and the rats did not develop wrinkles even under UV light, proving that HSP70 has a wrinkle-preventing effect. The research team believes that 42 degrees Celsius is a slightly hotter bathing water temperature. If people also take a bath before suffering from UV exposure, or use a hot towel to apply a hot compress, it may be able to prevent wrinkles.