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Health / Sat, 11 May 2024 The US Sun

The 5 budget ways to prevent sun damage, banish wrinkles and hold onto your youth

WITH sunny days comes UV rays, which can cause some serious damage to our skin. While some damage occurs within hours, such as sunburn, over time the effects can be more telling - skin cancer, wrinkles, age spots and more. There are ways you can care for skin that’s been damaged by the sun to prevent any further effects. Sunburns occur when the UV rays - either from the sun or sunbeds -damages the DNA inside skin cells, which triggers a release of inflammatory proteins. Research has found probiotics could also help reduce skin damage caused by UV rays, potentially because skin health is linked to the gut.

WITH sunny days comes UV rays, which can cause some serious damage to our skin.

Although a healthy summer glow is something many of us crave, the aftermath of this sun exposure can be pretty severe.

4 How to take back control of your skin after it's been exposed to UV rays Credit: Shutterstock

Dr Omar Tillo, the CREO Clinic’s medical director, says “UV rays from the sun can cause damage to the skin in many ways”.

While some damage occurs within hours, such as sunburn, over time the effects can be more telling - skin cancer, wrinkles, age spots and more.

Dr Tillo says the sun's damage to the skin include "speeding up the decline of our skin fibres, collagen and elastin, which can lead to wrinkles and sagging of the skin".

As our biggest organ, it’s important we care for and protect our skin.

Yet research by Nivea Sun and Cancer Research UK has found that 21 per cent in the UK say they don’t take more care in the sun in summer or spring compared to winter and autumn months.

There are ways you can care for skin that’s been damaged by the sun to prevent any further effects.

Give these expert tips a try…

1. Aloe there!

Even if you religiously apply suncream, sunburn could still sneak up on you.

With every sunburn, you raise your risk of skin cancer.

Sunburns occur when the UV rays - either from the sun or sunbeds -damages the DNA inside skin cells, which triggers a release of inflammatory proteins.

From milk to exercise, 5 tips you must follow to avoid getting saggy skin

The blood vessels dilate to help these proteins get to the damaged skin and help health it, making the skin look red.

Sasha Core, award-winning skincare expert, says: “Soothe sunburned skin by applying a budget-friendly aloe vera gel.

“Aloe vera has incredible cooling properties that can help reduce redness and inflammation.

“You can find pure aloe vera gels at drugstores or online without spending a lot."

Aloe Pura Laboratories Organic Aloe Vera Gel for an affordable way to soothe skin.

4 Sunburn on the shoulder Credit: Alamy

2. Broadly protected

We don’t need to remind you to meticulously apply sunscreen, however, the type of sunscreen you apply is pivotal.

“The most crucial step in preventing further damage is to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen (containing both UVA and UVB protection) with SPF 30 or higher as part of your daily skincare regime,” says Dr Tillo.

For some, pigmentation is semi-permanent and fades when out of the sun for a prolonged period and for some it stays year round Abi Cleeve

Plus, if your sunscreen is part of your moisturiser, Dr TIllo recommends using a moisturiser that contains other ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, niacinamide and glycerin.

These can help to hydrate the skin and restore its natural moisture barrier, which can be compromised by sun exposure.

3. Enjoy antioxidants

Whether it’s in your skincare or your food, antioxidants are the skin’s best friend.

Once an unaffordable addition to skin care, Dr Tillo says: “there are now more affordable skincare lines that include antioxidant serums like vitamin C, vitamin E, resveratrol, or green tea extract, which can help combat free radicals and reduce the oxidative stress caused by sun damage”.

Your diet can be rich in antioxidants too.

Turn to dark chocolate (ideally 70 per cent cacao and over), green veg such as broccoli and spinach, and purple foods.

Blueberries are sky-high in antioxidants; try throwing a handful into a smoothie or scatter on top of Greek yoghurt for breakfast.

4 Blueberries are high in antioxidants Credit: Getty

4. Prevent pigmentation

Noticed some disclosoured patches on your skin as you’ve gotten older?

Abi Cleeve, Founder of SkinSense, says: “After the risk of skin cancer, one of the long term consequences of sun damage is pigmentation.

“Pigmentation is a top skin worry for many as an uneven skin tone can be ageing.

“Brown patches of pigmentation which appear on hands, face and décolletage areas are caused specifically by UVA rays which penetrate deep into your skin.

“These rays stimulate the melanocytes (dark cells that are there to protect us) and they may become more visible.

“For some it (pigmentation) is semi-permanent and fades when out of the sun for a prolonged period and for some it stays year round.”

Aside from using an SPF with a high UVA filter (ideally 90 per cent or above) year-round on your face, Abi recommends adding products that contain hexylresorcinol, vitamin C, retinol or niacinamide to your nighttime skincare routine.

She says: “These all contribute to mitigating existing pigmentation and preventing more occurrences, and can brighten and support the texture of the skin’s appearance.”

Dr Tillo adds that there’s also prescription-only hydroquinone which can combat pigmentation. Visit your doctor to discuss.

4 The skin can develop hyperpigmentation with exposure to the sun Credit: Shutterstock

5. Gut instinct

You are what you eat, and probiotics don’t just do our gut a world of good, they can also help our skin.

In fact, our skin has its own microbiome; the collection of microorganisms, both good and bad, that are needed to stay healthy.

Probiotics are live bacteria taken to support gut health.

Research has found probiotics could also help reduce skin damage caused by UV rays, potentially because skin health is linked to the gut.

Prebiotics on the other hand are essentially types of fibre that feed good bacteria and help them to thrive.

Try Dr Vegan’s Skin Saviour supplement which contains a variety of live probiotics, prebiotics, and botanicals designed to keep your gut, and in turn your skin, as healthy as it can be.

Be wary of...

Although retinol has been dubbed as the holy grail of reversing the signs of ageing caused by the sun, Amish Patel, Skincare Expert at Intrigue Cosmetic Clinic recommends cutting down on retinol products over the summer months or before a holiday abroad.

He says: “Vitamin A (also known as retinol) can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.”

If you do choose to use retinol in the summer months, Amish recommends using a sunblock at all times and keeping your face under cover to avoid sun damage and burning.

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