With the long bank holiday weekend for the Queen’s Jubilee fast approaching, and the promise of picnics, garden parties and street gatherings a-plenty, it’s worth gently reminding everyone to break out the SPF and protect your delicate skin, even if it’s cloudy!
Here are our top tips for taking care of your skin this Summer:
– Make sure to apply sunscreen every day, even when it’s cloudy. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Also look out for the stars on the packaging, as these refer to the UVA protection that the sunscreen provides – 5 stars are the best!
– Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more often if you’re swimming or sweating as you join in some jubilee themed activities – anyone for a tug of war?
– Stay in the shade as much as possible, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are the strongest. Just remember that UVA rays (both UVA and UVB rays are linked with skin damage and premature skin ageing) can penetrate glass, and both UVA and UVB can penetrate clouds, so even if you’re indoors or it’s overcast, SPF is a must.
– Wear protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts, loose and long trousers, wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses. Go for red, white and blue to fit in with the festive theme!
– Check your skin regularly for changes, including new or changing moles, freckles and spots, and seek medical advice if you are concerned at all.
By following these simple tips, you can help to protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun, and the premature skin ageing associated with sun damage, and be able to enjoy the extra-long bank holiday weekend, come rain or shine!
Natural changes to the texture and condition of our skin
The skin’s natural production of collagen and elastin – the building blocks that give our skin its shape, volume and definition – begins to decline as we get older. As a result, fine lines and wrinkles begin to appear, but these aren’t the only signs of the skin’s natural ageing process.
As we get older, our skin’s ability to effectively shed dead skin cells also reduces. This can leave skin looking dull and lacklustre, but this build-up can be cleared effectively via manual or chemical exfoliation, which can help to reveal the fresh, youthful skin beneath.
The overall texture of our skin can also change as we get older. Skin can become dry as our sebaceous glands (which produce sebum, the skin’s natural, protective oil) tend to produce less sebum as we get older, resulting in drier skin. This can be exacerbated by conditions such as central heating and air conditioning, so it’s important to keep skin hydrated from both the inside and out. Drinking plenty of water and using a good quality moisturiser can help to combat dry skin.
There are other things that can also have an impact on our skin’s natural ageing process – these include overexposure to the sun, drinking alcohol and smoking, lack of exercise (as exercise helps to deliver oxygen to the cells in your body), and also diet (as too much sugar can have an impact on skin’s collagen and elastin).
Our skin does change as we get older, but thanks to advances in skincare and non-surgical aesthetics, these changes can be addressed – if you’d like to tackle any skincare concerns, please get in touch, as I’d be happy to talk through your skin’s unique requirements and find the perfect skincare options for you.
