Who can forget the time we spent baking in the sun, trying to get that tan going like it was a competition? Well, we’re all guilty of indulging in the warm and light of the sun. And who can blame us for that?. But not thinking twice of the consequences on our health. And never actually considering what sun damage does to our skin?
Sun damaged skin
When your skin is unprotected the sun’s heat will dry it out. And depletes the skin from its natural oils. Now those oils were meant to protect your skin. And keep it moisturised. On top of that the sun’s UV ( ultraviolet) radiation can burn your skin and cause long term changes in your skin’s structure.
Most common types of sun damage to your skin are:
- Dry skin– Once the sun has depleted your skin of its essential oils and moisture, the skin will look dry and flaky. Also it’ll present sings of premature ageing by triggering wrinkles to appear.
- Sunburn – The injury that occurs directly after the skin is burned by the sun’s uv rays. As a result your skin will appear red, painful, in some cases may blister as well. Consequently leaving your skin unprotected will increase the chance of getting pigmentation and worst of all skin cancer.
- Changes to your collagen’s structure – This refers to premature ageing of the skin caused by sun exposure ( photoaging). In photoaging, the skin develops wrinkles and fine lines because of changes in the collagen of a deep layers of the skin.
Sun damage can cause serious skin conditions. You should always take it seriously. And do everything to prevent it from happening.
Here are a few steps you can take to avoid sun damage, discolouration and premature ageing.
- Apply a sunscreen before you go outside. Choose a water-resistant sunscreen that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or above, with a broad spectrum of protection against both UV-A and UV-B rays. They protect your skin by creating a shield that forces the UV rays of the sun to bounce back off the skin completely. Sun protection is without a doubt the most important step for long term cancer and wrinkle protection.
- Limit the time you spend outside, especially during the peak hours. If unavoidable try and wear long clothing and a hat with a wide brim
- Wear sunglasses with UV light protection.
- Be aware that some medicines and skin care products can increase your skin’s risk of UV damage. These include certain antibiotics, prescription medicines. And also certain nonprescription skin care products containing alpha-hydroxy acids that can make your skin more vulnerable to damage from sunlight.
To learn more about your skin and how to prevent sun damage, why not visit our Oxford Street clinic, in Central London. My Expert team take good care of your skin and helps to restore your confident self.
How to book an appointment?
As the first step of your skin journey at Skin Perfection, you will be invited to attend a no obligations consultation. This will give you the opportunity to get a good understanding of your skin.
Following your assessment your practitioner will recommend you a personalised treatment plan. During your first meeting you will receive all the information and knowledge you will need to keep your skin healthy.
Contact our team today to book an appointment.