Now the summer is here and the forecast promises to be a scorching one, you need to protect your skin from the harmful sun rays and reduce your risks of rapid and premature skin ageing. Every day I see sun worshippers coming into the clinic who have skin that looks much older than it should. Damaging rays can even get to your skin through glass so you are at risk in the car, the conservatory and sitting by a window. Sun damaged skin looks crepey, sagging and loses volume. Together with the natural ageing process, your skin can look much older than it should.
So here are my top tips for protecting your skin this summer:
- Always apply a generous layer of SPF 50 UVA and UVB, twenty minutes before going out. Children need double the amount and applied more frequently.
- The effects of SPF reduces when in the direct sun so reapply every 2-3 hours.
- Swimming makes the skin more sensitive to the sun. Our SPF is water resistant, never the less reapply as soon as you get out of the water.
- Sweat dissipates SPF. Reapply if you are sweating excessively, especially when participating in sports.
- Avoid wearing perfume to exposed areas as it makes the skin more hypersensitive to the sun rays and causes burnt damaged skin.
- Wide brim hats are in fashion, very feminine and protect the whole face so invest in one. Peaked caps and a must for men and children.
- Always wear sunglasses. They will stop you from frowning and puckering your eyes, then your Botox will last longer.
- Apply an SPF balm to the lips as the skin on the lips has no melanin which protects the skin from burning. Not only will your lips blister but they will rapidly age too.
- Don't sit in direct sun for no longer than 15 to 20 minutes. Enjoy the outdoors in the morning and evening and avoid the sun between 10 am to 4pm.
- Enjoy your garden from the shade.
And one last thought: Sunburnt skin is damaged skin !
Blog written by Karen Johnson.