WITH sunny days comes UV rays, which we all know can cause serious damage to our skin.
While you might crave that “healthy summer glow”, doctors warn there is no such thing.
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Just a few bouts of sunburn as a child drastically increases your risk of skin cancer, leading dermatologist Dr Jonathan Kentley, ambassador for Melanoma Research Alliance, told Sun on Sunday Health.
Meanwhile nine in ten cases of melanoma, the deadliest skin cancer, could be prevented by staying safe in the sun and avoiding sun beds, Cancer Research UK estimates.
The bad news does not end there.
Dr Omar Tillo, medical director at the CREO cosmetic surgery clinic in London, warns those UV rays can also wreak havoc with your looks.
“UV rays from the sun can cause damage to the skin in many ways,” he says.
“This includes speeding up the decline of skin fibres, collagen and elastin, which can lead to wrinkles and sagging skin.”
Dr Tillo adds that UV rays can also increase the number of active melanocytes responsible for producing melanin, leading to age spots and pigmentation.
They can dehydrate the skin causing dryness, and they damage DNA, which can lead to precancerous cells.
As it is our biggest organ, it is important that we care for and protect our skin.
Yet research by Nivea Sun and Cancer Research UK has found that 21 per cent of us say we do not take more care in the sun in the summer or spring compared to winter and autumn.
But there are ways to care for skin that has been damaged by the sun to prevent any further effects. Notepads ready!
ALOE THERE
Even if you religiously apply SPF30, skin feels the effects of a day in the sun. Sasha Core, award-winning skincare expert, says: “Soothe skin by applying a budget-friendly aloe vera gel.
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“Aloe vera has incredible cooling properties that help reduce redness and inflammation.
“You can find pure aloe vera gels at drug stores or online without spending a lot.”
Aloe Pura Laboratories Organic Aloe Vera Gel (£6.49, Superdrug) is an affordable way to soothe skin.
Aloe vera has incredible cooling properties that help reduce redness and inflammation
Sasha Core, award-winning skincare expert
BROAD BRUSH
It’s worth a reminder to meticulously apply — and reapply — sunscreen to prevent skin cancer and skin damage.
However, the type of sunscreen is pivotal.
Dr Tillo says: “The most crucial step in preventing further damage is to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen containing both UVA and UVB protection, with SPF30 or higher as part of your daily skincare regime.”
Plus, if your sunscreen is part of your moisturiser, Dr Tillo recommends using a moisturiser that contains other ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, niacinamide and glycerin.
These can help to hydrate the skin and restore its natural moisture barrier, which can be compromised by sun exposure.
FEED YOUR SKIN
Whether it is in your skincare or your food, antioxidants are the skin’s best friend.
Though they were once a pricey addition to skin care, Dr Tillo says: “There are now more affordable skincare lines that include antioxidant serums like vitamin C, vitamin E, resveratrol or green tea extract which can help combat free radicals and reduce the oxidative stress caused by sun damage.”
Antioxidants are in an abundance of foods.
Turn to dark chocolate (ideally 70 per cent cacao and over), green veg such as broccoli and spinach, and purple foods.
Blueberries are sky-high in antioxidants — try throwing a handful into a smoothie or scatter on top of Greek yoghurt for breakfast.
STRIKE A TONE
Noticed some discoloured patches on your skin as you’ve got older?
Abi Cleeve, founder of online shop SkinSense, says: “After the risk of skin cancer, one of the long-term consequences of sun damage is pigmentation.
“Pigmentation is a top skin worry for many, as an uneven skin tone can be ageing.
“Brown patches of pigmentation, or darker patches in rich-coloured skin, appear on hands, face and decolletage areas and are caused specifically by UVA rays, which penetrate deep into your skin.
After the risk of skin cancer, one of the long-term consequences of sun damage is pigmentation
Abi Cleeve, founder of online shop SkinSense
“These rays stimulate the melanocytes — dark cells that are there to protect us — and they may become more visible.
“For some, pigmentation is semi-permanent and fades when out of the sun for a prolonged period. For others, it stays year round.”
Aside from using an SPF with a high UVA filter (ideally 90 per cent or above) year-round on your face, Abi recommends adding products that contain hexylresorcinol, vitamin C, retinol or niacinamide to your night-time skincare routine.
She says: “These all contribute to mitigating existing pigmentation and preventing more occurrences, and can brighten and support the texture of the skin’s appearance.”
Dr Tillo adds that there is also prescription-only hydroquinone, which can combat pigmentation. Visit your GP to discuss.
GUT INSTINCT
You are what you eat, and probiotics do not just do our gut a world of good, they can also help our skin.
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In fact, our skin has its own microbiome — the collection of micro-organisms, both good and bad, that are needed to stay healthy.
Probiotics are live bacteria, which research has found could help to reduce skin damage caused by UV rays.
Prebiotics, on the other hand, are essentially types of fibre that feed good bacteria and help them to thrive.
Try Dr Vegan’s Skin Saviour supplement (£24.99, drvegan.com) which contains a variety of live probiotics, prebiotics and botanicals designed to keep your gut and your skin as healthy as it can be.
BE WARY OF . . .
Although retinol has been dubbed the Holy Grail when it comes to reversing the signs of ageing caused by the sun, Amish Patel, skincare expert at Intrigue Cosmetic Clinic in Kent, advises cutting down on retinol products in the summer or before a holiday abroad.
He says: “Vitamin A, known as retinol, can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.”
But if you do use it in summer, Amish recommends using a sunblock at all times and keeping your face covered to avoid damage.
The importance of sun cream in your skincare routine
Dermatologist and skincare enthusiast Andrea Suarez – known as Dr Dray – revealed why you should wear suncream.
The one thing you can do that will make the biggest difference – and this matters for all ages – is protecting your skin from the sun, Andrea stressed.
“The vast majority of external aging is due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation,” she continued, not because you’re “not using some jazzy serum or layering 90 different things on your face everyday”.
“If you’re not doing in your 20s, get on that now.”
But she said the use of sun cream alone doesn’t go far enough. Andrea urged that you also wear sun-protective clothing like broad-brimmed hats and long sleeves, on top of not staying out too long in the sun.
Doing this over your lifetime – and all year, not just during the summer or on sunny days – “will reduce the visible signs of photoageing”, Andrea said.
Those are wrinkles, muddled pigmentation and sagging skin.