Summer Sun and Skin Care

Summer can be a lot of fun with family, food and festivities but hard on your skin. Of all environmental factors, sun damage is the worst we can inflict on our skin. Staying out of direct sunlight at peak times of the day, covering up with clothing that is sufficiently tightly woven to protect and most importantly using a sunscreen will all help to protect our skin.  Sunglasses also have a rating as to how much protection they give to the delicate eye area – check yours is high enough for when you intend to wear them when you buy new ones.

FACT: Did you know your sunscreen has an expiry date – check yours!

Do you know your sun block from your sunscreen?

Sun block as the name suggests, acts as an actual physical block to the sun’s rays getting to the skin and contains titanium or zinc. People usually have a good tolerance to sun blocks and they are the least likely to cause an allergic reaction as the particles are not absorbed into the skin. They are inert so do not breakdown quickly and last longer on the skin.  Invisible zinc is now available that disappears into the skin and doesn’t leave a white residue. Sunscreens contain chemical ingredients and are powerful absorbers of UV radiation, but need to be applied more frequently.

Common ones are:

• PABA  – PABA was an early chemical sunscreen that often induced sensitivity reactions. PABA esters  – glyceryl, padimate A and padimate OSalicylates
• Cinnamates  -Octocylene is a cinnamate with both UVA and UVB absorbing properties.
• Mexoryl – ecamsule

FACT:  UVA and UVB radiation can both damage the skin- an ideal sunscreen provides protection from both types of radiation.

What do you really know about SPF?

The SPF system measures only the degree of protection from UV rays and is not an exact measurement, but a guideline only. No rating system exists that measures the degree of protection from UVA exposure.  UVA does not cause reddening or pain and therefore not related to hot weather (this is why we can have damage from the sun in winter time or on a cloudy day).

SPF stands for sun protection factor. The SPF numbers on a product range from a low of 2 to a high of 60. SPF 30 is a high as we need to go. These numbers refer to the product’s ability to screen or block out the sun’s burning rays. The SPF rating is calculated by comparing the amount of time needed to produce sunburn on protected skin to the amount of time needed to cause sunburn on unprotected skin. So the higher the SPF, the greater the sun protection.  More important than the number of your SPF is how often you apply it – read the directions.

The sun’s rays contain different wavelengths of ultraviolet (UV) light. The two types of UV rays that pass through the earth’s atmosphere and cause damage to the skin are UVB and UVA. UVB rays are the main cause of sunburn. Both are responsible for heightening the risk of skin cancer. Both are factors that contribute to wrinkle formation, freckles, so called age spots (which are actually sun damage).

The strength of UVB radiation depends upon the time of day, season of the year, and geographic location on the earth’s surface. UVB rays are most intense from 10 am to 2 pm and are stronger in summer, at higher altitudes, and closer to the equator you are the stronger they get.  Remember that you can get sun damage any time of day – it is just more intense at peak times.

FACT: Unlike UVB rays,  UVA rays can travel through glass and penetrate to cause damage yo the deeper levels of the skin – wear sun protection when you drive.

What is the lasting effect of sunburn?

Studies have conclusively shown us that sunburn raises the chances of us developing melanoma skin cancer. You do not need to get the redness and pain and blisters of a bad case of sunburn to do damage to your skin. The effect of sun exposure is accumulative; therefore the collective sun exposure you are subjected to over a lifetime can cause damage to the skin.

Sun damage is not related to skin colour – if you are dark skinned you may be more likely to experience hyper pigmentation as well as sun damage. Your dark skin will be roughly the equivalent of a fair skinned person wearing an SPF2 so sunscreen is just as important to use whenever exposed to the sun.

Many people don’t put sunscreen on as they are not ‘actually going out in the sun’. If you add up all the walking to and from the car, the office, hanging out washing and so on that daily life involves – you are still getting a significant amount of sun exposure – wear sunscreen on a daily basis. Sun damage can occur on cloudy as well as sunny days. Remember too, some surfaces reflect UVR rays such as sand, concrete, water and snow.

FACT:  Anyone can develop skin cancer without burning – it is mainly caused by accumulative sun exposure over time.

But I don’t want to be white all summer…

There is no safe way to tan – a tan acquired under a tanning device such as a solarium is still giving you full exposure to UVR (ultra violet) rays. Your risk therefore is the same.

Fake tanning products have come a long way from the early bright orange disasters and are more foolproof to use – as long as you exfoliate thoroughly before use, follow directions carefully and wash your hands immediately after using! Artificial or fake tanning products will not give you any sun protection – some do contain sunscreen but the same rules apply to sunscreen and you will need to re apply after a few hours in the sun.

If you are insistent on tanning under the sun, do so with the least possible damage to the skin.  Slowly reducing the SPF factor and carefully monitoring the time you are in the sun so as you tan gradually and don’t burn. Also – consider using a fake tanning product on the face and cover this area from sun exposure.

FACT: Any tan from UV rays is your skin’s response to damage and increases the chances of premature aging.

Don’t only older people get skin cancer?

Melanoma has no respect for age and younger people should be checking their skin on a regular basis. Skin cancer is usually defined in two ways – melanoma and non melanoma. Melanoma is not the most common form of skin cancer but by far the most deadly as it can spread to other parts of the body if left untreated. To be treated it needs to be detected. Check your skin regularly for changes in size, shape, colour of existing spots or new spots that have appeared. Sometimes they can be multi coloured or have an irregular and poorly defined shape.

Get someone else to look over your back and if you are in doubt – get it checked out. For peace of mind, there are clinics you can go to that do a full body scan for and especially if you have family history of skin cancer or have a large number of moles or unusually shaped ones, this is advisable.

Early detection means early treatment that is usually quick and effective.

FACT: Melanoma is the most common cancer for in Australia for those aged between 15 -24.

10 tips – Skinsaviour Summer Skin Care

Sun, sea, sand, heat and humidity and those hot summer winds – all can be hard on the skin.

# – Fake a tan this summer – you can still look bronzed and beautiful with no sun damage. Read the directions carefully!

# – Exfoliate with a homemade sugar scrub to remove dead skin cells. – mix 1cup of soft brown sugar, a teaspoon of olive oil and add water slowly to the desired consistency. Leaves your skin incredibly soft and smooth. As a bonus, this scrub will boost circulation and help to prevent ingrown hairs from forming. An essential step if you are planning to use fake tan.

# – Summer sun can dry out our skin so moisturising is essential.  Moisturise after a lukewarm shower to lock in moisture. The hair can dry out too. Conditioning with olive oil through the lengths is a tried and true conditioner for dried out summer hair. Shampoo and rinse thoroughly after.

# – If you are outdoors wear a sun block or sunscreen with an SPF of 30. SPF 15 is sufficient if you are outdoors for  short periods of time. Keep a sun block in the car.

# – Blot excess oil with a tissue. Blotting papers can remove oil and shine and if you wear makeup will leave this intact.

# – The heat dries out our bodies and our skin. Well hydrated skin has plump hydrated skin cells that keep our skin fresh and healthy looking. Keep yours well hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Keep a bottle handy.

# – You may spend more time in the water but this actually dries out the skin. Rinse well after swimming to remove salt and chlorine that rob the body of moisture. Moisturise after swimming and don’t forget to re apply the sun block.

# – Cleansing is essential in summer. Perspiration, oil, old skin cells and dirt need to be thoroughly cleaned away at the end of the day to prevent the pores blocking. Don’t be tempted to use the soap in the shower – it will strip away the natural oil that we do need to keep our skin supple.

# – Moisturise after a bath or shower or when you have just cleansed your face. This will lock in moisture already in the skin and maintain the integrity of the skin barrier. Moisturisers that have moisture attracting and binding ingredients such as Hyaluronic acid will keep the skin hydrated for a longer period of time.

# – Take care of yourself. A New Year equals a fresh start. Plenty of rest and sleep, taking advantage of the abundance of fresh summer fruit and vegetables achieving balance by practicising moderation in all things will keep you healthy. Our skin is a great indicator of how we are functioning physically and our emotional and mental wellbeing. Look after your body and your skin will reflect this.

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DRY SKIN SOLUTIONS…

Skincare during the winter months is just as important as our summer skin care. Whilst in the summer the emphasis of skincare is on sun protection, in the winter it is on intense moisturizing to avoid the dreaded “winter itch”. Cold temperatures and exposure to the wintry elements can cause a host of problems for your skin. It is essential that our skin is kept well hydrated and moisturized through the coldest months of the year to prevent the skin drying and cracking.

Cold air dries skin out at a faster rate than warm air which explains why it is the winter months when the skin tends to dry out more easily. The elevated temperatures from central heating systems inside the home and the workplace and lack of moisture in the air all contribute too. There are a few tricks that you can keep in mind to prevent dry skin during this time of year:

1. Avoid all harsh soaps and body washes containing soaps, detergents and petrochemicals and sulphates chemicals and other substances that can dry and irritate the skin. This is especially true if you have very sensitive skin and the more dry the skin becomes often the more sensitive it becomes as well. These ingredients have a tendency to strip away the layer of sebum and irritate and inflame the natural barriers of your skin. They can cause the skin to become sensitive and itchy. Natural skincare solutions are formulated to not cause any unnecessary damage or stress to your skin and allow it to naturally glow.

2. Lukewarm water should be used whilst showering (or even when having a bath) to enhance the use of a  natural skincare regime as soaking the face or body in very hot water can strip the skin of its natural oils and moisture. If you cannot live without a hot, steamy bath or shower, either add the very hot water gradually which will help prepare the skin for the temperature assault, or keep the shower short! Even when washing your hands, remember to keep the water tepid.

3. Moisturize carefully both your face and body after a shower or bath whilst your skin is still slightly damp. This will lock in moisture very effectively and prevent dryness and any accompanying itching and irritation. For best results, pat down your skin rather than rub with a towel before applying cream. Ensure a natural skin cream with long lasting hydration is used to lock in moisture all day long.

4. When in a snowy environment, be aware the bright white colour reflects UV rays and can easily cause sun damage to exposed skin (i.e. your face). Use high factor skin creams or total block when pursuing outdoor snow sports like skiing or snowboarding to prevent this from happening. UV rays an also damage your eyes so wear good protective sunglasses or goggles too. Don’t forget your lips, they burn too.

5. Keep hands toasty warm and stop them drying out by never leaving home without a pair of gloves. If wool gloves irritate your skin, choose cotton or leather ones, but make sure they are an outfit staple throughout those frosty months. Hands are one of the first parts of our body to show the first signs of aging and need daily sun protection all year round.

6. Lips should also be kept well moisturized with a good lip balm so they too avoid drying out. If lips do become chapped, don’t do the tempting thing of licking them as this will make them worse. Instead, keep a lip balm handy, preferably one having a sunscreen factor as well. You can also rub them in a gentle, circular motion with a toothbrush occasionally to remove dead skin cells and keep them super soft.

7. Undergo a weekly exfoliating session as moisturizer works more effectively on properly exfoliated skin. A milder scrub should be used on your face than on your body so combine the natural exfoliating scrub with a cream before applying here. Apply the natural exfoliating cream to dry skin for best results, massaging the skin gently in small circular motions. It can then be rinsed off in the shower. Don’t forget to then fully moisturize when you emerge. One of my favourite to use is soft brown sugar, slowly adding a little oil and then water until the desired consistency is reached…go slowly though as you only need a little. This leaves the skin incredibly soft and smooth and it is very cheap to make.

8. Hydration is a year round must for healthy skin. Keep up drinking water but also consider using a humidifier or even a bowl of water in the bedroom – heating can be incredibly drying for the skin. Moisturise with a skin care product that provides long lasting hydration.

9. Winter doesn’t mean the end of sunscreen. Just because the sun isn’t shining doesn’t mean we aren’t experiencing the effect of UVA and UVB rays and damage isn’t happening to our skin. Wear sunscreen daily.

As you can see, there are a number of tricks that can be applied to ensure your skin stays clear and supple during the harsh winter months. It is very important that care and attention is given to skin throughout the year however as over exposure to wind, rain and sun can produce negative long term effects, the inflammation and irritation we can’t always see accumulates over time into damage we can see in the form of lines and wrinkles.

The skin is the largest organ in the body, and a glowing healthy shine reflects a glowing healthy body so it is definitely something worth investing a little time and energy in to. Make sure you get plenty of essential fatty acids in the diet – omega 3 and omega 6. Try to include cold water fish such as salmon and tuna, walnuts, flax seed – the oil or ground, olive and canola oils and avocados. Supplements of flaxseed, evening primrose and fish oil are all readily available from a health food store. It will make a big difference to the health and glow of your skin.

For more information or tips on effective natural skincare, visit www.skinsaviour.com.au.

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