Finally the summer we’ve been longing for have arrived. And who can blame you if you just want to soak up the warmth and light of the sun? Starved of freedom, sun shine and holidays the temptation is bigger than ever to just lay there and enjoy the comforting warmth of the season. I know you’re most likely agreeing with me right now? But If you expose yourself as much as once without sun protection, the sun damage is instant and can take months or years to reverse. Sun damage can cause serious skin conditions, so you should always take protection seriously. If you haven’t considered protection until now, it’s the perfect time to ask yourself how to protect your skin from sun damage?
What happens to your skin as a result of sun damage?
When your skin is unprotected the sun’s heat will dry it out. And depletes the skin from its natural oils. But those oils were meant to protect your skin in the first place. And of course they meant to 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. These can present themselves as either of the following;
- 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. And 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 ( photoageing). In photoageing, the skin develops wrinkles and fine lines because of changes in the collagen of a deep layers of your skin.
How to protect your skin from sun damage?
- Apply a sunscreen before you go outside. It won’t compromise your tan line so you can still see your skin getting darker. But you should choose a water-resistant option that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or above. And one 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. Evidently sun protection is 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 protect your skin from 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.
To learn more about your skin and how to prevent sun damage why not visit us at our Oxford Street clinic, in Central London? My Expert team will start with a thorough assessment of your skin.
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 a personalised treatment plan will be recommended to address your skin concerns. During your first meeting you’ll receive all the information and knowledge you’ll need to keep your skin healthy.
Contact our team today to book an appointment.
