Quick sun savvy skin care Q&A for spring

As much as we love to soak up those warm, sunny days and show off that gorgeous tan in a sexy bikini – it is important to remember that the sun can wreak havoc on our skin, if we don’t take the necessary steps to protect it. Check out this Q&A to get the lowdown on all things sun and skin from Everysun:

Does the sun really age your skin? Most definitely! Wrinkles, lack of elasticity, vascular disorders and pigmentation are four common issues caused by too much exposure to the sun that can also speed up the aging process. A recent study by the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) found that 80% of all external aging in Caucasian women is due to UVA and UVB rays.

UVA and UVB rays – what’s the difference? UVB rays are responsible for sunburn and, even though they have short wavelengths that don’t penetrate deeply into the skin, can do a fair amount of damage to the outer layers of the skin. UVA light rays are more dangerous, as they can penetrate deeper into your skin. This type of ray is what we are exposed to most of the time, and is responsible for reducing our skin’s natural elasticity, increasing the chances of wrinkles and pigmentation.

Darker skin is not really at risk, right?  Wrong! Don’t think only people with fair skin should be wary of the sun – the NCBI noted that those of us with darker skin tones can experience hyperpigmentation.

Hyperpigmentation? When our skin comes into contact with these rays it uses melanin to protect itself. These cells help our skin to absorb the sunlight, dissipate it as heat, and then work to repair the damage done by free radicals spreading UV rays. The more UV rays we are exposed to, the more melanin cells are produced which is how a tan is created. BUT, not everyone can produce enough melanin to effectively protect their skin, leaving the sunlight to penetrate this barrier to damage your skin. Others who produce too much melanin experience hyperpigmentation.

What can I do to protect my skin from the sun?

1. Stay out of the sun between 10am and 4pm, if possible, as this is the time of the day when the sun is at its hottest. If you can’t be inside during this time, try to stay in the shade as much as possible.
2. Invest in high quality protective gear. Opt for a SPF 50 CANSA approved sun hat and a rash vest with UV protection.
3. Layer up on sunscreen. Remember to re-apply sunscreen during the day if you are outside a lot.  Try: The Everysun anti-aging face moisturising crème SPF 50. Make this the last step in your morning skin care routine.