WHY SUN SCREEN IS YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND THIS SUMMER
With the holiday season in full flow, whether you are staycationing in the UK or have managed to travel overseas, don’t forget to pack your sunscreen. At this time of year, the sun’s rays are at their strongest and despite the warnings, arguably one of the most overlooked aspects of skincare is sun protection.
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Applying sunscreen, regardless of the forecast, is crucial because it's one of the most effective ways to shield your skin from harmful ultraviolet rays. But choosing the right one is essential, as is knowing how to use it. Dr. Claire Oliver (GDC) Medical Director at award-winning Midlands clinics Air Aesthetics answers your most burning questions about sunscreen basics and why you need to include this critical skin care product as part of your everyday regime.
WHAT’S IN SUNSCREEN AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
Sunscreens are skin care products that contain active ingredients that protect skin cells from the sun's ultraviolet radiation, including UVB and UVA. Sunscreens work by incorporating either chemical or physical active ingredients (or a combination of both) to protect skin against UV damage.
HOW DO CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL SUNSCREENS WORK?
Chemical sunscreens are made with chemical active ingredients like avobenzone and homosalate, which work by absorbing UV light that comes into contact with skin.
Physical sunscreens contain mineral active sunscreen ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which work by reflecting UV
light away from skin. Some SPF formulas with broad spectrum coverage take advantage of the benefits of both chemical and physical sunscreen active ingredients.
SPF AND STAR RATINGS
Sunscreens carry a star rating and an SPF rating. The sun protection factor, or SPF, is a measure of the amount of ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) protection. UVB is the form of UV irradiation most responsible for sunburn and has strong links to malignant melanoma and basal cell carcinoma risk (skin cancer).
The star rating measures the amount of ultraviolet A radiation (UVA) protection vs UVB. UV irradiation in the form of UVA is associated with skin ageing.
You should see a star rating of up to 5 stars on UK sunscreens. A sunscreen with an SPF of 30 and a UVA rating of 4 or 5 stars is generally considered as a good standard of sun protection in addition to shade and clothing.
DOES YOUR SKIN TYPE PUT YOU AT MORE RISK OF SKIN CANCER?
Dermatologists generally divide skin types into six categories, from phototype 1 - fair skin that burns very easily in the sun and
LIVE24-SEVEN.COM
FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUT Y DR CLAIRE OL IVER
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