Why Use Sun Protection?
Any time the skin is exposed to the sun without proper protection damage is being done to the skin cells below the surface. You don’t have to burn for the damage to be done and it probably won’t be noticeable right away. The damage you’re doing now to your skin, or the damage that was done when you were young can cause all sorts of problems including freckling, discolouration, dark spots, melanoma and other forms of skin cancer.

The best thing is to protect your skin before the damage is done. Once the damage has occurred to the skin cells, it’s very difficult to reverse the effects. There are cosmetic creams and procedures that can fade age spots and sun damage but your skin will never return to your original skin tone and your complexion will always be uneven. Dehydration and wrinkles caused by the sun’s harmful UVA rays are also hard to correct. An anti-wrinkle cream will help to plump the skin making it appear smoother but once the skin structure is broken it cannot be repaired.

Even those with darker skin tones are not immune to the damaging rays of the sun. People with fair skins are more at risk of burning from exposure to UVB rays, but the ageing UVA rays can have negative effects to any skin tone.

How to Protect Your Skin
Staying out of the sun during peak hours is the best protection but not the most exciting way to spend your summer. If you do go out between the hours of 11am and 4pm protect your skin with broad spectrum sun creams. Broad spectrum means that the cream protects against the UVA rays that penetrate deep into the skin and UVB rays which cause burning on the surface.

To get full protection from the sun choose a product that has either Titanium Dioxide or Zinc Oxide. These ingredients form a true block against the sun. People often don’t like these types of sun creams because they are heavy and greasy and often leave a film on the surface of the skin. Skincare companies are aware of these problems and have been developing ways to make the products lighter and more comfortable on the skin.

Use sun blocks with an SPF of 30 or higher but keep in mind the higher the number does not mean you are able to be out in the sun longer without reapplying. No matter what the SPF number you should always reapply every 45min to 2hours. Check the expiry date on your sun products before applying and dispose of any sun product that has been open for a year even if it is still in date.

Make sure you are using enough product when you apply it and cover all areas that will be exposed to the sun. Apply under straps or up sleeves and shorts as well as fabric will move throughout the day exposing different areas. Most newer sun blocks will absorb easily into the skin but you should still a slight white tint on the surface. Your first application should be put on half an hour before you go outside. There are also products on the market to protect delicate areas like lips, eyes and scalp. Use a lip gloss, lip cream and eye cream with SPF, and find an oil free sun block spray to use on your hair and scalp.

Wear a hat as much as possible to protect your head and face from sun damage but it’s also great to ward off heat stroke. Try to sit in the shade during the hottest part of the day. If you enjoy sitting in the sun then alternate sun and shade to give your body a break.

When you come in from the sun moisturize your skin to replenish it. Exfoliating the skin regularly will remove dead skin cells. This will help with the absorption of you sun blocks and will also help the skin hold its hydration level. You will also have a more even skin tone. Don’t forget to drink lots of water when you’re out in the sun and heat. Your internal organs and your skin rely on water to function properly.