How getting out in the sunshine can affect your skin

The summer is very nearly here! As the sunniest period of the year, it’s typically the time that people reserve for family holidays, and outdoor social gatherings. Whatever you’re planning to do, it’s important to keep in mind that the sun is only your friend up to a point! Many people fall into the trap of overexposing their skin to the damaging UV rays that the sun produces. Here at AP Skincare, we specialise in high quality skincare products, as well as skincare treatments that provide visible solutions to prevent, repair and reverse the signs of ageing, pigmentation and acne within an affordable budget.

That means we know all about the potential benefits, as well as the risks that come along with exposing your skin to the sun, so we’ve compiled a handy list of effects that the sun can have on your skin for you to keep in mind as we enter into the season of sun.

So what are the benefits of sun on my skin?

Your skin is your body’s largest organ (yep, an organ like your heart!) and believe it or not, it’s way more closely tied to your overall health than you might think. Firstly, exposing your skin to sunlight is a great way of introducing vitamin D to your body, which can be incredibly beneficial to your overall health and well-being!

Basically, vitamin D absorbs calcium, which is then released around your body and helps to promote healthy bone development. Also, healthy levels of vitamin D have been demonstrated to prevent skin ageing, helping you to maintain a youthful, vibrant look!

As well as anti-aging benefits, exposure to sunlight has also been shown to reduce the severity of conditions like eczema, psoriasis and dry skin. Plus, it’s also been well documented that sunlight and vitamin D can have a substantial impact on reducing the effects of acne.

However, like all things, it’s best done in moderation, as there are definitely a few risks that come along with over-exposing your skin to the sun.

What sort of risks should I be aware of?

Basically, overly exposing your skin to sunlight allows the harmful UV rays to penetrate through your epidermis to your inner layers of skin; your dermis and your hypodermis. This effect commonly manifests itself as sunburn, which can lead to serious health problems if left untreated.

A few of the key symptoms of sunburn to look out for include:

• • Redness of the skin
  • Hot, painful skin
  • Goose bumps or chills
  • Itchiness or tight skin
  • Blisters (in extreme cases)
  • Dehydration
  • Peeling – this is your body’s way of shedding the dead cells

If left untreated, sunburn can lead to other, more serious health problems. These don’t take long to take hold, so it’s vital to take preventative measures, like applying suncream, to ensure that your skin doesn’t get to this stage.

Some of the more extreme results of over exposure to sunlight include:

• • Skin changes – freckles and moles. These can become cancerous over time
  • Wrinkled, tight, or leathery skin and dark spots
  • Lowered immune system – when your skin gets burnt, your white blood cells create new cells. While doing this, your immune system is put at risk in other areas
  • Eye injuries – UV rays can burn your outer eye layer (the cornea), which can lead to blurred vision, cataracts, and even blindness
  • Skin cancer – it’s very common, but also very treatable. Melanoma on the other hand is a type of skin cancer which isn’t as common, can be more severe, and can come as result of too much sun

These are all extreme examples of the harm that can be inflicted by too much sun. It’s also worth keeping in mind that people with fairer skin are more susceptible to damage brought on by sunlight exposure, so take care all you lovely red heads!

It seems like a good idea to round off this post with something you knew already – basically, it’s important to look after your skin. And, you’ll be pleased to hear, that’s exactly what we can help you with here at AP Skincare. We can analyse the health of your skin in detail, and once we know what we’re working with, we’ll create tailored skincare treatments and recommend at-home products to boost your complexion. Call our friendly team on 01254 29 000, or pop into our skincare clinic in Blackburn if you want to find out more! When it comes to your skin, we’re always happy to help!