Boost Summer Sun Protection
We live in one of the best countries in the world, with an outdoor lifestyle and plenty of sunny weather. The sun is important for our mental and physical wellbeing, but too much exposure can cause cellular damage and contribute to premature skin ageing.
Balance and awareness are crucial when it comes to avoiding skin damage. Understanding how to protect your skin and how to boost that protection is especially important in Australia.
Understanding UV Rays
The sun produces three forms of ultraviolet rays: UVA, UVB and UVC.
UVA rays are often known as the ageing rays. They are a major contributor to fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, and the rough or leathery-looking texture that can appear in the skin as we get older.
UVB rays are known as the burn rays. These rays damage the outermost layers of the skin, known as the epidermis, causing redness, blistering and sunburn.
UVC rays are absorbed by the earth’s atmosphere and do not usually reach the skin.
Both UVA and UVB rays can contribute to skin cancers, which is why healthy sun protection habits from a young age are so important in Australia.
How Sun Damage Affects the Skin
Too much sun exposure, particularly between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm, can damage the DNA within skin cells. This damage can alter the cells and cause them to replicate too quickly, which may lead to precancerous lesions and tumours.
Years of suntanning can significantly increase the risk of basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas. Some studies have also found that severe blistering sunburns, especially under the age of 18, may increase the risk of melanoma later in life.
How Much Sun Is Enough?
So how much sun is too much, or too little?
Aim for around 15 minutes of direct sunlight twice per day, ideally in the early morning and late afternoon, without sunglasses or sunscreen. This gentle exposure can support liver function, energy, mood and general wellbeing.
Anything beyond this is where sensible sun protection becomes important.
Use a Quality Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen
The best way to shield your skin and body from damaging UV rays is to use a quality broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30+.
There are also other ways to boost your skin’s protection from the harmful effects of the sun. Applying a professional topical antioxidant serum and vitamin E serum before sunscreen can help support the skin. Consuming more antioxidants internally may also assist, so drinking green tea and eating summer berries are simple ways to boost your health and antioxidant levels.
Be Careful With Active Skincare Ingredients
Some anti-ageing and resurfacing ingredients can increase sensitivity to sunlight. These include AHAs, retinol, BHAs such as salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide.
These ingredients can make the skin more prone to burning and irritation, so extra care with sun protection is essential when using them.
Reapply Sunscreen Regularly
Reapplying sunscreen is important. Many people think that applying sunscreen once in the morning will provide protection for the whole day, but this is not the case.
A good rule of thumb is to reapply sunscreen every two hours when you are outside for extended periods. If you are sweating or spending time in the water, you may need to reapply sooner.
Reflective surfaces such as snow, water, sand and asphalt can intensify UV exposure. This is another reason why reapplying every two hours is so important.
Protective Clothing Makes a Difference
UV-protective clothing can be a great support, particularly if you work outdoors or spend more than a few hours enjoying the Australian lifestyle.
If you do not have UV-protective clothing, a rash guard or even a lightweight cotton t-shirt and long pants that cannot be seen through can make a difference.
Be sure to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes, along with a wide-brimmed hat that protects your face and ears. A baseball cap is not enough for good sun protection, as it only protects part of the face and leaves the ears exposed.
Choose Your Sunscreen Carefully
Australia’s sunscreen industry is facing one of its biggest trust tests in years. Do your due diligence when choosing a sunscreen so you can feel confident in your sun protection.
The power to slow premature ageing and protect your body is in your hands this summer.
