After a long winter, the longer sunny days set the scene for an increased social calendar and all-round good times. With spring cleaning also on the agenda, don’t forget to look into the makeup bag or cupboard and carefully consider your approach for protecting and maintaining your skin. In this article we tackle how to protect your skin from the sun and free radical damage.
Sun Damage & Sun Protection Factor
The simplest thing you can do to help protect your skin whilst out and about is to cover up. Hats, scarves and long breathable sleeves are your first port of call for mixing up an outfit when venturing out. When taking a dip or where covering up is not an option, be sure to apply water resistant or broad spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen at least 15 minutes before stepping into the sun. Seek shade where possible, every second counts.
There are many SPF products on the market including chemical blockers, physical blockers, reef-safe sunscreens and more. Speak to your clinician about which product is right for you.
What does SPF really mean?
To calculate the SPF of a product, laboratory tests are carried out on lighter patches of skin. Both protected and unprotected skin is exposed to UV light to compare the time it takes for the skin to show signs of minor sunburn. By dividing the time it takes for the protected skin to burn by the time it takes the unprotected skin to burn, you get the SPF factor (500 seconds divided by 10 seconds = 50 or SPF50). Always apply your sunscreen liberally to ensure you get the maximum protection out of each application.
To learn more about how IPL can benefit your skin and help you achieve your skin health goals, book a consultation with one of our expert clinicians today!
Free Radicals
Free radicals are molecules all around us that lack electrons in their outer shell. Their unstable nature makes them want to find other molecules to bond to. Unfortunately, our skin is the perfect magnet for these nasty antagonists. Due to their reactive nature, they increase oxidative stress which damages our skin cells, accelerates skin ageing and contributes to other health issues.
By avoiding sun damage, you’re already on your way to minimising your exposure to free radicals. Other factors that contribute to free radical damage include smoking, alcohol, poor nutrition and air pollution.
By incorporating antioxidants such as vitamin A, B and C into your skincare routine, you can help to prevent and repair damage to your skin caused by free radicals. There are many products that contain antioxidants that are beneficial for the skin but not all of them may be suited to your skin type.
At Artisan, our experienced clinicians are qualified to prescribe only the very best, with our clinics offering a wide range of cosmeceutical skincare from Australia’s leading brands. Book a consultation to discuss how your at home skincare can help maintain your in-clinic treatments.
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