How To Maximise Sunscreen’s Protection For Your Skin

Almost all of us have been unlucky enough to have a sunburn at some stage, and we’ve been aware of the dangers of too much sunlight since a very early age. But despite that, lots of us still underestimate the damage that too much sunlight can do to our skin. It doesn’t help that UV rays can still reach us in all sorts of unlikely ways, including by reflecting from water, sand or rocks – which is how you can get a sunburn even if you’re under an umbrella! This makes it all the more important to properly protect your skin.

Buying The Right Sunscreen

Ask any skincare expert – the higher the Sun Protection Factor of your sunscreen, the more protected your skin will be. Ideally, you should use at least factor 30 to properly shield your skin from damage, and even then that’s still only the bare minimum for protection. A good tan is attractive for many people, true, but your health always has to come first! We don’t take any risks at APSkincare, which is why we stock our Heliocare range of skincare products. With an SPF of 50, they officially class as Very High Protection for your skin, shielding you from sunspots, freckles and early signs of ageing.

Applying Your Sun Protection

Let’s be honest; if you’re just nipping to the shops, you’re probably OK not to worry about sunscreen. But if you plan to be out in the sun long enough to risk burning – i.e. picnics, holidays or lounging on the beach – your sunscreen really needs to be applied twice: once about thirty minutes before going out, and then again just before you leave. This might sound like overkill, but it really does maximise your protection and minimise the risk of damage to your skin. Most people are very passionate about keeping their children protected against sun damage, but for some reason don’t apply that same enthusiasm to protecting themselves.

When you do apply it, you’ll want to make sure you’re covered from literally head to toe, and that any exposed areas of skin are covered. Your arms and the back of your neck are common areas to cover, but don’t forget the backs of your thighs or the tops of your toes – they can get burned just as easily! Ideally, you’ll need two teaspoons of sunscreen if you’re just covering your head, arms and neck, but two tablespoons if you’re covering your entire body when wearing a swimming costume. It takes time and effort, true, but you’ll always be thankful later.

And Don’t Forget To Reapply!

It’s surprisingly easy to do – after that first lather up, it’s all too common to sit back in the sun and completely forget that your protection wears off after about two hours. It’s also really easy to take a dip in the sea, and wash it all off. Yes, even if it’s water resistant! Water resistant doesn’t necessarily mean it’s waterproof – while it can potentially hang on a little while longer, sun cream does its job best if you help it along.

The best way you can do this is by limiting your direct exposure to the sun. Between the hours of 9am and 4pm is when the sun is at its brightest and hottest, putting you most at risk of skin damage or sunburn. Remember, always err on the side of caution – even in our relatively mild UK summers, it’s all too easy to underestimate things!

Our derma-facials and chemical peels are perfect treatments for this time of year, revitalising your skin ready for that blazing summer sunlight. Feel free to call 01254 297 000 to make an appointment, or take a quick look at the other fantastic skincare treatments we have on offer. We’re here to help!

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