GOLDEN RULES How to stay safe in the sun this summer
The expert advice on how to protect your skin this summer
Given the vagaries of the British climate, it is little wonder that we tend to be woefully ill-prepared when the sun emerges. Thirty-four per cent of British women have beensunburntintheUKinthepastyear,risingto 48.3 per cent among those holidaying abroad, and skin cancer remains all too common in the UK, with more than 15,400 new cases of melanoma every year.
The advice from dermatologists and the British Skin Foundation – to apply a broad-spectrum sun-protection product with a minimum SPF30 every two hours – is simple enough in itself, but can prove a hard habit to establish. ‘Usually, too little SPF is applied in the first place and people are not reapplying often enough,’ says the cosmetic dermatologist Dr Mervyn Patterson. ‘If you are dealing with sun exposure that your skin isn’t designed to cope with, you must up your game.’
AnygoodsunscreenwillprotectagainstbothUVA–raysthat penetrate deep into the dermis and can cause premature ageing –andUVB,whichburnsthesuperficialsurfaceoftheskin.Newer innovations may also offer protection against visible light and infrared wavelengths. ‘Evidence is now emerging that these types of ray can induce free radicals in the skin, triggering skin ageing and pigmentation,’ says Patterson.
While laziness and complacency no doubt play their part, the confusing nature of the suncare sector must also take some blame. To begin with, there are two types of filter: physical and chemical. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Physical filters act as a barrier, deflecting or blocking the sun’s rays, while chemical filters absorb them before the skin can. There is no definitive answer as to which is best, as it will depend on your skin and preferences; and most SPFs now contain a combination of both. Those with sensitive skin may prefer to use a physical filter, as chemical sunscreens
are more likely to cause skin reactions.
To add to the potential complications, earlier this year, Hawaii sought to ban products containing oxybenzone, an ingredient in some chemical sunscreens, following a study showing that the compound can contribute to coral bleaching. (It is estimated that between 6,000 and 14,000 tonnes of sunscreen wash into the oceans every year. However, according to Dominique Moyal, the head of scientific communication for La Roche-Posay: ‘There are many other filters available, which are more powerful and without any side effects.’) In another study, researchers at Touro University California recently found that regular sunscreen use could contribute to a deficiency of vitamin D, the absorption of which is vital for strong bones and teeth.
But such health concerns are overblown, according to the consultant dermatologist and British Skin Foundation spokesperson Dr Anjali Mahto. ‘The time needed to make vitamin D is short;lessthantheamountneededforskintoburn,’shesays.‘UK dermatologists recommend that going outside for just a few minutes around midday without sunscreen should be enough exposure to produce adequate vitamin D.’
Regardless of the protection you choose, if you are in an unusually sunny environment, you should not rely upon make-up that contains SPF. ‘Visualise mixing your sunscreen with your moisturiser,’ says Rabbia Aslam, the director of treatment and development at HC MedSpa.
‘It will give a degree of protection, but will not ensure maximum defence. Instead, use a product specifically designed to protect the skin, and foundation on top.’
With the new influx of fine-textured lotions and sprays, there is no longer any excuse to get burnt; all we need now is the promise of blue skies and the long golden days of summer.