Wow, what a glorious summer we’ve had so far!
So, how does the sun affect your skin and why is it so important to protect it?
None of us want our skin to age prematurely, but unfortunately, exposure to the sun is it’s number one enemy. It is contributing to wrinkles, pigmentation, capillary damage and rosacea flare-ups. It’s also responsible for most skin cancers.
Sun protection SPF should be applied to the face, neck, decolletage and back of the hands everyday, not just on a hot day spent at the beach but as you go about your daily activities. This may be walking the dog, out shopping or just as you generally walkabout.
UV rays can even penetrate through a car window while driving or through a window while you sit at your desk at work. The UVA rays can penetrate through clouds so just because the sun’s not out doesn’t mean you shouldn’t protect your skin.
The two types of rays that affect the skin
UVB – this is the burning ray responsible for sunburn, penetrating the top layer of the skin called the epidermis.
UVA – is the ageing ray. These rays you cannot feel but they penetrate even deeper into the lower layer, the dermis.
Now saying this, we still need the sunlight in summertime as that’s the only time we get exposed to UVB rays to ensure we have healthy levels of Vitamin D.
Vitamin D protects us from
Osteoporosis
Cancers
Depression
Colds and flu
What can we do to ensure a healthy vitamin D level?
Get a little exposure without sunscreen between 11am and 3pm by exposing uncovered areas such as forearms and hands or lower legs.
Most people can make sufficient Vitamin D by going out for short periods.
Only stay in the sun for just half the time it would take you to go pink.
If you stay out too long unprotected you run the risk of sunburn and destroying the vitamin D you have made.