UV Protection – Why It’s Essential Every Day

Health & Wellbeing

Don’t you love to feel the sun on your back, especially at the start of summer? A bit of sunshine makes us feel good about life. And we also need sunlight to produce Vitamin D, which is essential for strong bones and our general health.

However, there is an obvious downside to too much sun.

Sun damage to our skin is not just caused by sunbaking: it can occur anytime you are outdoors – at work, when walking, playing sport or gardening. Your face is most at risk, which will lead to tell-tale signs of ageing.

How does this happen?

Education goes a long way. So, I’ve broken down what happens into a 4-step process.

1. Sunlight contains UV rays, which our skin absorbs;
2. This causes oxidation in our skin creating free radicals which are abnormal cells;
3. These free radicals cause further long-term cell damage, poor overall cellular function and cell death;
4. Damaged cells have altered DNA, meaning that new cells, although formed all the time, are also damaged.

What does this look like?

An increase in cell death (Step 3) causes the dermis – the living part of your skin – to thin, and there to be less collagen and elastin holding everything together. The skin cells can hold less water, and so your skin becomes:

• thinner at first, then;
• thicker and more leathery with more visible sun damage (from the build-up of the keratin layer as the skin tries to protect itself from more damage);
• coarse, dry, loose and saggy as the collagen layer thins;
• pigmented with an uneven tone and darkened areas (as increased amounts of melanin are produced as the cells try to naturally protect themselves);
• wrinkly, as damage causes cell renewal to slow even more than with the natural ageing process;
• lined with visible capillaries as the smallest blood vessels become deformed and are more visible from thinning of the skin;
• more likely to develop skin cancers of all varieties.

Cheerful, isn’t it?

Help… How do I protect my skin?

The good news is, it’s quite easy! And I’m pretty sure you already know the answers.

First, wear a UV protection on your face every day, zinc based is best. There are so many types now to choose from, and the SPF level isn’t always relevant so it can be difficult, but going without is a bit like not wearing undies – you just don’t do it!

Second, keep your skin healthy on the inside, as this will slow the visible signs of ageing on the outside. To do this, drink lots of water, eat plenty of greens and proteins, exercise daily and enjoy life.

Third, choose skin care products without nasty’s and with proven science behind them so you can nourish your skin the best way, every day.

I told you it was easy.

Hate wearing sunscreen of any kind?  I’m full of suggestions so just ask me!