Sun Protection: 6 Reasons why you should wear sunscreen every day.
Summer’s coming!! And, happily, we’ll be able to enjoy all that Sydney Summer has to offer us. Yay!
But before we get too excited, I thought I’d take a moment to remind you of what happens to your skin when exposed to UV sunlight and why we need sun protection every day of the year.
Impaired natural sun protection: Vitamin A depletion.
One of the most critical nutrients found in the skin is vitamin A.
Vitamin A provides your skin with natural sun protection.
However, every time you expose your skin to the sun, UV radiation breaks down your natural supply of vitamin A.
Without adequate vitamin A, the skin shows signs of dysfunction, from premature wrinkling and sun damage to sensitivity, dehydration, dryness and hyperpigmentation.
You can reverse this deficiency by including some form of topical vitamin A in your daily skincare routine and applying an adequate amount of broad-spectrum sunscreen daily.
Dehydrated skin: A loss of moisture.
Daily exposure to UV light without adequate sun protection will activate free radicals. If left unchecked, it will degrade your lipid barrier and the skin’s ability to retain natural moisture leaving the skin dry, parched and dehydrated, no matter how much moisturiser you apply.
Wearing well-formulated sunscreen every day will improve your skin’s natural moisture content.
Wrinkles and sagging skin: A collagen breakdown.
UV sunlight activates free radicals, which oxidise the skin. Like the oxidation that occurs when you cut open an apple, once exposed to light and air, the apple becomes brown and dehydrated.
Over time without adequate sun protection, your skin does the same.
And damaging enzymes activated by sun-induced free radicals will break down your skin’s collagen. What follows is a loss of strength and structure in the skin, which will appear as wrinkling and sagging.
Altered cell function: Damaged DNA.
Your DNA is the blueprint of every cell in your body, including your skin cells.
UV sunlight wreaks havoc with your DNA leading to mutated cell replication.
DNA damage leads to skin replicating in a damaged condition that will appear far less than luminous. Instead, you’ll find your skin is dull and slow to respond to skincare and treatments and with a much higher risk of skin cancer.
Cancer and viruses: Lowered skin immunity.
When exposed to extended periods of UV sunlight, your immunity cells, known as Langerhans cells, will retreat. This action leaves the skin without natural immunity protection and susceptible to skin cancers, viruses and slower healing processes.
Nutrient deficient: Reduced skin nutrition.
UV radiation destroys essential nutrients. Vitamins A, B3, C, and E are diminished, leaving your skin with constant vitamin deficiency.
Without these essential nutrients, your skin will suffer the long-term consequences of skin damage and dysfunction.
How to protect your skin from UV sun damage.
Choose a well-formulated broad-spectrum sunscreen, moisturiser or foundation to protect your skin from UVB and UVA sunlight.
For excellent sun protection, one of our favourites is Aspect Hydrating Face SPF 50+
Apply it liberally, and if you’re exposing your skin for more than two hours, we strongly recommend re-application or, even better, retreat from direct sunlight.
If you are in the sunshine for extended periods, then be sure to include a wide-brim hat and UV-protective sunglasses and clothing.
In other words? Cover up!
Take an oral supplement rich in antioxidants and essential vitamins to give your skin the best chance of staying rich in essential skin nutrition.
Use topical serums rich in vitamins A, B3, C and E.
Environ’s Focus Care Radiance+ Intense C Boost Mela Even Cream ensures you have plenty of vitamin C under your sunscreen to protect the skin from the sun’s heat and protect your protective lipid barrier.
Adding vitamins to your skincare routine will give your skin much better protection against the long-term damage of daily exposure to UV radiation.
If hyper-pigmentation is starting to appear, then it’s an excellent idea to include serums specifically
designed to target and minimise the enzymes that activate inflammation and pigmentation.
Aspect Pigment Punch contains botanical antioxidants to keep blotchy pigmentation at bay.
We are taking a holistic approach to protecting your skin.
Preventing sun damage requires constant vigilance. Every day, no matter where you live and whether the sun is shining brightly or it’s a cold and cloudy winter’s day.
Adopting the tips we’ve discussed today allows you to prevent future sun damage and rest a little easier in reducing your risk of skin cancer. If you’d like help in how to protect your skin, we’re here to help; you can contact us [here] or book online for a skin consultation.