The Importance of SPF in your Skincare Routine

07th March 2022

Sunscreen is important for your skin all year round. We explore ways to protect your skin and how to improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin with the treatments we provide.

Sun cream is important for your skin all year round – even in the winter. But when summer arrives, it’s difficult to resist basking in the sun’s rays and hoping for a tan. Overexposure to the sun can cause major skin damage, so be sure you’re protecting your skin with SPF.

How Does the Sun Affect Our Skin?

UVA and UVB rays are produced by the sun. UVB rays have shorter wavelengths and penetrate the epidermis (top layer of skin), but UVA rays have longer wavelengths and penetrate deeper into the skin. Overexposure to these UV rays can result in sunburn, wrinkles, and, in the worst-case scenario, can lead to skin cancer.

When the skin is overexposed to the sun’s rays, it protects itself by producing more melanin. This is what causes you to tan, which is your skin’s way of protecting itself from the sun. When you spend too much time in the sun, the UV rays can cause damage to the collagen fibres in your skin, leading to wrinkles, sunspots, and a loss of skin elasticity.

How to Protect Your Skin from the Sun

Prevention is always better than the cure, so make sure you’re doing what you can to protect your skin from sun damage. A broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 15 should be used every day – even when it’s cold or cloudy!

Broad-spectrum SPF means that it filters out both UVA and UVB rays. Your sunscreen should be applied to all of your skin that is exposed to the sun. Remember to reapply your sun cream throughout the day when you are out in the sun.

Using additional sun protection, such as wearing a hat or using a parasol, can also go a long way in protecting your skin on hot days.

Chemical or Mineral Sun Cream

There are two main types of sun cream; chemical or mineral. Chemical sun cream works by absorbing the UV rays and converting them into heat. Mineral sun creams work by forming a physical barrier on the skin and reflecting the UV rays away, with the help of a mineral, such as zinc oxide or titanium oxide.

Skin Treatments to Tackle Sun Damage

If damage has already been done to your skin from sun exposure, then you might be faced with prematurely aged skin and sun spots. Luckily, there are a few treatment options that can help to reduce the signs of ageing and even out skin tone.

Facials

A facial with benefits for those with sun-damaged skin is the Environ Collagen Power Facial, which softens lines, evens skin tone and texture using an anti-ageing serum, which boosts collagen and elastin production, helping to reverse the signs of premature skin ageing.

Facial Peels

Having a facial peel can offer excellent results in improving the appearance of hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tones. Our Radiant 20/10 and Radiant 30 facials make use of AlumierMD products to improve skin tone and texture, improving areas of hyperpigmentation and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Our Glow Peel, using AlumierMD Glow Peel, is a resurfacing facial peel that is particularly beneficial to ageing skin. Helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation, this peel can help to reverse some of the visible damage caused by the sun.

Our ethos is to build client confidence and wellbeing, which is why every visit will be handled by our skilled and highly devoted team, ensuring that clients are in good hands and receiving the best available guidance and expertise.

Want to find out more about us and the treatments we provide? Feel free to contact us and ask us any questions before booking your first appointment.