Sun awareness – Stay safe in the sun
In as many as four out of five cases, skin cancer is a preventable disease, so we've put together a few hints and tips on how to stay safe in the sun.
Nothing beats a cover up Sunscreen cannot give you 100% protection. It is no substitute for staying in the shade, wearing close -weave clothing (e.g. cotton), a broad-brimmed hat and a pair of quality UV sunglasses.
Get the factor right
Use a high-protection sunscreen. For you, SPF 30 is our recommendation. For kids it should be SPF 50+. Keep babies and very young children out of direct sunlight altogether.
Get your timing right
Skin needs time to absorb sunscreen. Put a generous layer on about 15 to 30 minutes before going out. Reapply frequently at least every two hours, as it can come off when swimming or by sweating.
Know your rays
UVA rays are present all year round. They penetrate deeper into the skin, damaging fibres in the dermis which leads to premature ageing. UVB rays intensity peaks during the summer months. They penetrate the skin's surface and can damage skin cells causing a shirt- term reaction to the sum e.g. sunburn.
Give midday a miss
The sun is at its strongest in the middle of the day, so it's best to stay in the shade between 11 am and 3 pm, especially if you are pale-skinned. Just 10 minutes of strong sunshine is all it takes to burn pale skin.
What causes sun damage?
Sun damage is caused by frequent exposure to damaging (UV) rays. UV is an undetected form of radiation emitted by the sun. There are two types of UV rays, UVA and UVB. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin and are the major source of early ageing and skin cancer. UVB rays primarily access the surface of the skin and are the key source of sunburns.
How often am I exposed to harmful UV rays?
Whether you are walking to your car, driving to work or simply sitting near a window, you are exposed to harmful UV rays. This type of daily contact is known as secondary UV exposure. Secondary exposure occurs when you lease expect it. It can occur on cloudy days in the shade, even while you are indoors. It is likely that the usual individual is exposed to more than 10 hours of indoor UV rays every week. Add that to over seven hours of outdoor UV rays a week and
without a suitable shield your weekly UV radiation might total to nearly 20 hours. That is equivalent to spending the weekend at the beach without wearing sunscreen. Environmental elements such as sunlight, smoke and air pollution cause chemical reactions in the skin, known as free radicals,which can lead to fine lines, wrinkles, loss of elasticity, discolouration and even more serious skin conditions such as skin In the quest for a safe, healthy glow this summer We ask our skin care professionals how to prevent and protect in order to achieve a healthy tan.
Sun Damage Prevention
Choose the proper sunscreen
The SPF (Sun Protection Factor) measures the right amount of UVB absorption, but there is no method of reporting the UVA absorption. The only way to determine if a sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB radiation is to look at the ingredients. A good broad spectrum sunscreen should have an SPF of at
least 15 and above.
Applying the sunscreen
Most people use sunscreen improperly by not applying enough. They apply 25 – 50 % of the recommended amount. It takes 20 – 30 minutes to be absorbed into the skin, so it should be applied at least half an hour before going into the sun. Sunscreen should be the last product you put on your face as some sunscreens can be broken down in the presence of water found in foundations and moisturisers. Sunscreen should be applied daily. The daily use of a low SPF (15) has shown to be more effective in preventing sun damage. cancer. There are several types of products and procedures available to reverse sun damage:
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion involves removing the top layer of dead cells from the surface of the skin, thereby accelerating the renewal cycle of the skin and leaving it refreshed and renewed. It leaves your skin feeling fresh, clean and rejuvenated after the very first treatment. A course is normally recommended.
Chemical Peels
A chemical solution which is applied to the face, for a Chemical Peel, in order to loosen the“glue-like” characteristics of sun damaged or ageing skin. These vary in strength depending on the damage and skin type, producing dramatic changes with virtually no erythema or recovery period.
For a personalised ‘Prevent and Protect’ skin care regime consult the skin care experts at Innercore Clinics Ltd
A donation on £1 per product sold will be donated to British Skin Foundation
