Now we're in the height of summer, I thought it would be a great time to cover an important subject for us all ... sun protection.
Did you know that long term unprotected sun exposure causes gradual damage to skin known as sun damage or photoaging and accounts for about 90% of the signs of skin ageing! The two main types of damaging rays are UVB and UVA. They damage the skin cells and their DNA leading to fine lines, wrinkles, irregular pigmentation, visible vessels, thinned skin, loss of elasticity and skin cancer (including melanoma).
UVB rays (290-320nm) are the main cause of tan and sunburn as they damage the skin's more superficial top layers and plays a big part in the development of skin cancer.
UVA rays(320-400nm) can pass through glass and clouds (so watch out long distance drivers out there) and are present every day of the year with equal intensity throughout the day. UVA rays damage skin cells in the deeper layers of the skin where most skin cancers arise, also affecting collagen, elastin and blood vessels.
So what does this all mean to you and I...
If there is one product we should all be investing in to protect our hardworking skin, then its SUNSCREEN... with the most important factor to look for in a sunscreen is the term "broad spectrum" which signifies coverage against both UVA and UVB rays. Also sunscreen filter types...chemical and/or physical UV filters. Chemicals like oxybenzone, avobenzone and octinoxate absorb and deactivate UV rays changing the light energy to heat. Physical filters like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide sits on the skin's surface, where the light is largely reflected and scattered away from the skin.
Physical filters are safe, gentle natural minerals which just sit on the skin providing skin protection. They are comfortable, non irritating even to the most sensitive skins unlike studies into chemical filters highlighting the fact they are known or suspected hormone disruptors, allergens and carcinogens.
Well hopefully this has given you an insight into how harmful the suns rays truly are to all of us no matter what age you are and time of the year it may be.
So people... stay sun savvy and safe. Use a Broad Spectrum Physical SUNSCREEN as part of your daily skin care regime.
Rosy x