If you are a child of the 60’s and before, you will remember the sun oil by day and the calamine by night!
Sunbathing in any shape or form is not recommended and comes with risks as does our day-to-day exposure to U.V rays.
The sun makes us feel good, not only by altering the chemicals in our brain but by changing our colour.
For some it is literally like a drug, a necessary fix at least once a year, but with skin cancer becoming one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the U.K and across the globe, it’s time to be brave and say “no” to sunbathing. Wear a daily S.P.F, sit under an umbrella, wear a sun hat and limit sun exposure time. You will still get the ‘feel good’ factor without the skin damage.
Skin Protection
The main reasons for protecting ourselves from sunlight are to reduce the effects of ultra violet rays on the skin exposing it to ultra violet radiation, U.V.A and U.V.B are the rays that cause the most concerns. The shorter rays U.V.B, the cause of initial heat, redness and burning. U.V.A rays are the longest rays and penetrate deeper into the skin. They are responsible for causing cellular damage and the main cause of visible ageing in the form of ageing, sagging skin and age spots. Further more responsible for most skin cancers. Pigmentation can take on many forms:
- Melanoma – Brown irregular spots on the body.
- Chloasma – Liver spots or age spots: small brown spots on the skin, which have nothing to do with the liver function, but are always caused by unprotected exposure to the sun, maybe many years previously.
- Melasma – Brown freckling patches that can appear on the face, upper lip and hands. When the patches are not raised, rough or crusted, they are considered to be benign.
- Hyper Pigmentation – An increase in melanin production stimulated by sun exposure. It can also be stimulated by birth control pills, pregnancy and oestrogen replacement therapy.
S.P.F
Short for sun protection factor and the ability to protect against the sun’s shortwave U.V.B rays and delay sun-induced burning. It measures the length of time a product prevents skin reddening from U.V.B compared to how long it takes without protection. Re-apply every 2 hours if outside in summer months or on holiday in the sun. An S.P.F 15 blocks about 94% U.V.B rays, S.P.F 30 blocks 97% U.V.B rays and S.P.F 45 blocks 98% U.V.B rays. You can never be fully protected. By wearing a moisturiser with S.P.F 15 and foundation with S.P.F 15, you are not doubling your protection to S.P.F 30.
Vitamin D Production.
The claims that sunscreens inhibit vitamin D production have been disproved and the use of sunscreen still allows the body to produce significant amounts of vitamin D from sunlight.
Skin Cancer
No one is safe from sun damage and skin cancer, however the most in danger are those with fair skin, red or blonde hair, a family history of skin cancer, and multiple moles. You can triple the risk of the most serious type of skin cancer by getting painful sunburn just once every 2 years.
Call to make an appointment to discuss the right S.P.F for your skin needs. Dermalogica also caters for the sports person with Protection 50 Sport and After Sun Repair.
Book a pre-flight hydrating facial or a summer skin-saver after your holiday.