Sun Protection

The term ‘SPF’ is strictly misleading because they should not just be used when the sun is out but instead on a daily basis regardless of the weather. The bottom line is that the harmful effects of UV radiation occur even when it is cloudy. So wear your UV protection daily come rain or shine! In winter months when the sun is not shining a once daily application is probably sufficient. However, when the sun is out and the weather is warm, UV protection should be applied twice daily or even more if you are in and out of water. Protecting your skin against the harmful effects of ultraviolet There are also a number of other beneficial products called photoimmunoprotectants available on the market such as niacinamide (niacin, nicotinamide, vitamin B3) and resveratrol.Radiation is an absolutely essential part of maintaining skin health.

There are many approaches to take to get your skin into the best possible condition. Starting off with photoprotectants and topical anti-oxidants, as we have discussed, is crucial but there are many other topical ‘active’ ingredients that can also be incorporated into your daily skin care regime (eg. Vitamin A, hydroxyacids, etc) as well as other non-surgical treatments such as bespoke facials using microdermabrasion etc.

UV radiation is not only the biggest cause of premature ageing but it is also implicated in skin cancer formation. Excessive exposure to UV radiation from the sun must be kept to a minimum although it is important to know that some exposure is required to help your skin produce vitamin D.
The key message is that ultraviolet radiation is a potent source of oxygen free radicals which are the molecules that set off a dangerous chain reaction in the skin that ultimately leads to collagen & elastin breakdown and DNA damage.

Uses of sunscreens are therefore essential to block the harmful effects of UV light. However, topical antioxidants should be also to be used to minimise free radical damage too.
The latest research suggests that infrared and visible light might also contribute to the ageing process too. Therefore a ‘broad-spectrum’ approach to sun protection should be used.
Remember there are two main types of sun creams – chemical and mineral. The main difference is that chemical sun care products contain UV filtering ingredients that take time to be absorbed by the skin. By contrast, mineral sunscreens contain inert UV protective ingredients such as zinc or titanium oxide and form a protective barrier on top of the skin – these have an immediate effect.
Mineral SPF’S do not irritate the skin; sometimes chemical sunscreens can cause sensitivities and reactions. Zinc is also anti-inflammatory and does not block pores.