It probably hasn’t escaped your notice, but it’s getting warmer out there. Temperatures are sure to increase as we move into May too, so what better time than now to give you a primer on how and when to add a suitable SPF to your daily skincare routine!
What’s SPF?
SPF stands for sun protection factor and is a way of measuring how well a sun protection product, such as sunscreen, can safeguard your skin from the UV rays emitted by the sun. There are many high-street foundations and moisturisers that feature built-in SPF as well, but as the jury is still out on the reliability of these products, you should probably do your best to avoid them.
Using SPF
Spring and summer may be the two seasons you’d most associate with the daily application of SPF, but it’s advisable to use sun protection all year round.
Even on cloudy days, your skin can still be damaged by UV rays and they can even penetrate glass. Care should always be taken then to apply SPF as part of your normal skincare ritual regardless of whether or not you’re planning to go outside.
Is It Really That Important?
Yes! Overexposure to UV rays is one of the leading causes of skin ageing, with sun damage often accountable for the development of wrinkles and certain pigmentation irregularities such as sunspots.
More worryingly, it has long been believed that exposure to both UVA and UVB radiation can trigger various forms of skin cancer, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
Cancer Research UK has found that 90% of people diagnosed with melanoma, which is considered to be the most deadly type of this illness, could have avoided this if they had followed proper sun safety precautions.
Choosing And Applying The Right SPF
SPF products come in varying strengths, but I would always recommend selecting an SPF 30 or higher as standard. SPF 30 offers 30 times more sun protection than your skin is capable of providing on its own.
In most instances, it’s also a good idea to choose a broad-spectrum SPF. This is to make sure that your SPF will safeguard your skin against both UVA rays (those responsible for skin ageing) and the more carcinogenic (potentially cancer-causing) UVB rays. If you pick a product that doesn’t offer broad-spectrum protection, you will not be protected from UVA radiation.
As the skin can take time to absorb SPF, make sure you apply this 30 minutes before going outside or, if you’re staying in, a good while before you plan to sit in front of a window. This should be rubbed into areas of the skin that will be exposed to the sun and reapplied every 2 hours if you’re staying outside.
Remember – you are three times more likely to develop melanoma if you get sunburnt twice a year, so you need to make a conscious effort to incorporate SPF into your skincare routine if you haven’t already done so.
Despite a common misconception, it’s important to note that all skin types and colours are at equal risk of sun damage at any given time.
Tebiskin® Products
At Appearance Based Medicine, I am proud to offer a wide selection of Tebiskin® products for the management of various pigmentation concerns and as a means of sun protection. Tebiskin® is famous for its TripleLock approach, which involves following a strict skincare protocol to reduce inflammation, normalise melanin production and create a healthy skin environment.
Tebiskin® UV-Sooth offers very high sun protection (SPF 50+) against both UVA and UVB rays. When applied every day, this product prevents several forms of sun-induced damage, such as wrinkles, facial redness and rosacea. It can also combat the dark marks that may appear on the skin as a result of exposure to solar radiation (UVA/UVB).
In addition to Tebiskin® UV-Sooth, Tebiskin® UV-LC is a cream which can be easily absorbed by the skin to provide broad-spectrum protection. By boosting resorcinol levels, this product helps the skin to moderate its production of melanin. This is also achieved by interfering with melanocyte activity and making the skin less vulnerable to the development of hyperpigmentation. It can also treat areas of skin that have darkened as a result of a pigmentation concern.
Away from Tebiskin®, Heliocare products use an antioxidant known as Fernblock® to support in the maintenance of optimal skin health. You can browse their full range here. Remember that you can get 10% off every Heliocare purchase by using code SHOP015. Those who spend over £40 will even be able to claim a free Heliocare water bottle.
To find out more about how I can help shield your skin from UV radiation and sun damage, please visit my website today. Be sure to follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook for more spring skincare advice.
