Staying Safe in the Sun…

In summer, everyone wants to make the most of the seasonal heat and sunshine. But at the same time, it’s incredibly important to protect your skin from harmful ultraviolent (UV) radiation. In fact sunscreen should be used year round and should become an integral part of your skincare routine.

UVA exposure typically leads to advanced ageing, where as UVB leads to burning. 95% of the damage caused to skin is as a result of UVA exposure, whilst 5% is the result of UVB exposure. However failure to adequately protect your skin can lead to irreversible damage, including pigmentation, wrinkles and skin cancer.

There are a lot of products available which claim to keep your skin protected in the sun. With many different products making many different claims, it can be hard to know which brand to choose. At Skin Medical we recommend Heliocare, which provides high-level broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection and contains Fernblock®.

In our Manchester clinic we stock Heliocare Cream SPF50, Heliocare Gel SPF50 and Heliocare 360 Mineral SPF50 – meaning we have a product for any skin type! Heliocare is even suitable for those who suffer from acne and breakouts, as well as those with existing sun damage and pigmentation. Our expert medical practitioners will be able to recommend which one is right for you.

Using Sunscreen

If you’re planning on being out in the sun for a long time, you should apply sunscreen 30 minutes before you go out, and again just as your about the leave, according to NICE – you should always apply twice before being exposed to the sun for long periods of time.

Throughout the day you should always reapply sunscreen frequently and liberally – especially after being in water or sweating.

Keeping your skin protected with a high SPF sunscreen is the best way to keep your skin safe and avoid permanent damage. However, if you have already experienced sun damage, pigmentation or fine lines and wrinkles, we have a selection of treatments to improve the appearance of your skin. Our medical practitioners will also be able to advise how best to protect your skin from any further damage.

To book a free skin consultation with one of our experienced practitioners or to find out more about any of our treatments or products, please contact the Manchester city centre clinic on 0161 839 7663 or submit an online enquiry.