BUT WE MUST ALL TAKE CARE, WARN DOCTORS
WHILE Ulrika might be unrepentant about her sun-worshipping, Dr Ophelia Veraitch, a consultant dermatologist at London’s Cranley Clinic (cranleyclinic.
com) has seen too many cases of skin cancer not to be concerned by Britons’ sun-loving habits.
‘We know categorically that increased exposure to the sun increases your risk of skin cancers,’ she says. ‘We regularly see malignant melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, and unless these are caught very early, they are hard to treat without surgery.
‘People might think they “look better with a tan”, but they tend to think differently when they have scarring or skin grafts from having cancerous cells removed, or they’ve had to have a section of their nose cut out.’
While you need some sun exposure to generate vitamin D, the British Association of Dermatologists says the time needed is less than the amount it takes to change the colour of your skin. After that, you can’t produce any more.
So before hitting the beach, find out how damaging the sun can be . . .
DANGER OF SUN SPOTS
‘SOLAR lentigines, also known as sun spots or age spots, tend to occur more in fairer-skinned individuals on sunexposed areas,’ says Dr Veraitch.
‘They happen because the UV radiation causes DNA damage in the melanocytes, the cells that are responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that colours skin. When these are working normally, they produce uniform levels of pigment resulting in even skin tone.
‘When they malfunction, certain cells start to overproduce melanin, resulting in these spots. If you only have a few, and catch them early, they can be treated with Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) or laser.
‘However, if you have any that have a darker component, it’s worth consulting your GP or dermatologist as they can progress to a type of melanoma called lentigo maligna. Caught early enough, this can be treated with a chemotherapy cream.’
FINE LINES AND WRINKLES
AS WE age, we develop fine lines and wrinkles, but sun exposure accelerates the pace at which this happens.
‘UV radiation causes a reaction in the skin which increases the levels of an enzyme called MMP-1,’ explains Dr Veraitch. ‘This enzyme breaks down the levels of collagen in the skin.’
Collagen, along with elastin, is one of the proteins found in skin that keeps it firm, springy and bouncy.
‘When it breaks down, you’ll find that wrinkles and fine lines form. A broad spectrum SPF with protection against both UVA and UVB has to be the foundation of any skincare regime that aims to tackle these types of problems, but using a retinoid — a form of vitamin A that can help increase cell turnover and have an antiageing effect — at night can also help.’
RISK OF A SAGGING FACE
LOSS of collagen doesn’t just result in lines, it can also cause loss of volume in the mid-face as well. As we age, we tend to lose some volume, partly because of gravity’s effect on structures under the skin (it’s why we tend to go from having plump cheeks as children to being jowly in adulthood), and partly because fat under the skin tends to shrink, but also because we lose the collagen which forms the foundation of the skin.
As the sun accelerates collagen loss, sun damage can speed up this process.
THE PERMA-TAN PERIL
A LONG-term tan with a bronze hue may mean you are suffering from actinic bronzing, where skin is permanently discoloured after repeated exposure.
It’s the sort of damage you might see on people who have slathered themselves in oil for decades. This level of discolouration suggests you might be at greater risk of skin cancers, so it’s worth checking with a dermatologist before trying to reduce the damage, but if you want to try to lighten the colour, chemical peels and laser treatments can help.