Be sun safe this summer and protect your skin while you have fun!
The sun has got his hat on and we’re SO ready to go out and play! Find out how you can love the sun while protecting your skin to keep yourself safe on the sunniest of days…
Why Is Sunscreen Important?
It’s really important to take care of our skin and protect it from the sun’s harmful rays. The damage the sun can do to your skin now could affect your health in later life. Sun-damaged skin can lead to skin cancer, wrinkles and discolouring of the skin. So it’s wise to take care of your skin now to keep it healthy and happy in the future.
Sunshine Safe
Be summer smart and follow these simple steps to keep your skin safe:
- Cover Up
Throw on a shirt, a kaftan, or a robe to keep your arms covered and pop on a hat to protect your face, neck, and ears.
BONUS TIP – Wear UV sunglasses to protect your eyes in the bright sunshine.
- Shady Customer
Seek out shade when the sun is at its hottest and brightest, sitting high in the sky – this is usually between 1-3pm. You can sit under an umbrella or lay down under a tree and relax.
BONUS TIP – A wide-brimmed hat will give your neck lots of coverage.
- Slap On Sunscreen!
Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to give your skin maximum protection and avoid burning. Always apply 15-30 minutes before going out in the sun and reapply throughout the day, especially straight after swimming.
BONUS TIP – Invest in an SPF lip balm to protect your lips from sunburn.
5 Top Tips For Teens
Cosmetic Dermatologist, Dr Sam Bunting, shares her expert advice on protecting yourself from the sun and how to find the right SPF products for your skin:
- Sunscreen (also known as SPF) helps reduce the marks from breakouts. So, if you care about getting rid of those pesky marks, this should be part of your daily acne strategy, especially in summer.
- Sunscreen doesn’t have to trigger breakouts – new formulations are much better for acne-prone skin than they used to be. Look for products designed specifically for the face and labelled non-comedogenic to be confident that you’re not blocking your pores. Good brands include La Roche Posay, Neutrogena and Dr Sam’s.
- Remember a tan is a sign of UV damage so try facial self-tanner if you want to look bronzed.
- Plan ahead. If you know you’re going to be out all day in the park, make sure you carry some SPF, just in case the sun comes out.
- Do your research. At the end of the day, there will be an SPF out there that’s right for you. SPF comes in lotions, gels, creams, and even mousses. When you find one you like, it’ll become much easier to use the correct amount – and don’t forget to reapply on a regular basis!
Dr Sam Bunting is a London-based Cosmetic Dermatologist who simply specialises in great skin. (www.drsambunting.com)
