Understanding Sun Exposure
When our skin is exposed to the sun, the skin undergoes cellular changes. While this may not be visible immediately, over time, you may start to see the impact of cumulative UV damage by way of pigmentation, dark spots, an uneven skin texture, and lines and wrinkles.
To completely ensure sun safety and protect your skin from sun exposure, you should avoid sun exposure. When it is necessary to be exposed to the sun, it's essential to apply broad-spectrum sunscreen to all exposed areas, including easily missed spots like the scalp, ears, and neck, and to use after-sun face lotion and after-sun moisturiser for care.
Additionally, seeking shade during peak sun hours, wearing light layers, and using sunglasses and a hat for face and eye protection are key steps in maintaining your skin's healthy appearance.
What Does After Sun Do?
There’s really nothing nicer than enjoying a day in the sunshine, and when the skin is protected with broad-spectrum sunscreen, you can do so with confidence.
It’s still important, however, to use hydrating after-sun products to help your skin remain soft and supple. For instance, after-sun body creams, like Anthelios Post UV Exposure After Sun Lotion, help to restore the loss of lipids and water that can happen as a result of humidity and sun exposure. They also contain ingredients That help skin feel soothed and hydrated, whilst keeping the skin barrier in good condition.
The Sun's Effect on Skin and Hair
To help you understand how the sun affects the skin and hair in different ways, we’ve created a simple cheat sheet so you know exactly how to treat certain sun-related skin concerns.
Dehydration
Effect: Sun exposure can strip the skin of its natural moisture, leading to dryness and tightness.
Solution: Even while wearing sunscreen, a warm, sunny climate can leave the skin feeling dehydrated. Counteract this by adding a hydrating serum to your morning and evening skincare routine. La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum, for instance, is packed with hyaluronic acid to rehydrate and plump the skin, restoring its natural moisture barrier.
Premature Ageing (Photoageing)
Effect: Ultraviolet radiation accelerates the ageing process, leading to fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity.
Solution: Wearing a broad-spectrum, high-SPF facial sunscreen can help to delay the appearance of these signs. Moreover, applying a daily serum packed with antioxidants such as La Roche-Posay Vitamin C12 Serum can also help to prevent and reduce existing and signs of damage.
Hyperpigmentation and Sun Spots
Effect: UV exposure leads to increased melanin production, which not only tans the skin but can also lead to dark spots and an uneven skin tone.
Solution: It's important to protect your skin from sun
exposure, avoiding unnecessary exposure and using sunscreens and
protective clothing.
Some people have developed hyperpigmentation throughout the years, which
can be worsened by the sun. For those, apart from continuing avoiding the
sun and wearing sunscreen, they can try using exfoliating products such as
LRP MelaB3, which uses a combination of Retinol, Hyaluronic acid,
Niacinamide and Melasyl to help reduce the appearance of dark spots and
even out the skin tone.
Effect: Increased risk of sunburn, often neglected in sun protection routines.
Solution: There are certain areas of the body that are very vulnerable to the sun but are often missed or neglected when it comes to sun protection. It is important to remember to protect areas such as you scalp, by remembering to wear a hat when exposed.
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