As the days get longer and the sun shines brighter, many of us are eager to spend more time outdoors. While soaking up the sunshine can be enjoyable, it’s essential to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. At Numie Skin & Laser Clinic, we’re passionate about helping you achieve and maintain healthy, glowing skin, and one of the simplest yet most effective ways to do this is by wearing SPF daily.
Here are some important reasons why SPF should be an essential part of your skincare routine this season:
- Prevents premature ageing
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays is one of the leading causes of premature skin ageing. Sun damage leads to fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation issues that can make the skin look older than it is. By wearing SPF daily, you’re protecting your skin from these harmful effects, keeping it looking youthful and radiant for longer.
- Be aware on cloudy days – and even when you’re indoors
A common misconception is that SPF is only necessary when it’s sunny. In reality, up to 80% of UV rays can penetrate clouds, meaning your skin is still at risk even on overcast days. Wearing SPF every day ensures you’re always protected, regardless of the weather.
Do you sit near a window in your office, whether that’s in your home or at your workplace? Because while glass does block UVB rays, it doesn’t block UVA. If you’ve sat in a car or bus on a long journey when sun is pouring through the window, you’ll know it can get uncomfortable. What you don’t see is the effects of the UVA rays. Sunscreen will ensure that these effects are minimised.
Some studies suggest that the blue light from screens can have a negative impact on your skin and that sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium oxide – or a mix of the two, offer some protection against blue light as well.
- Help maintain an even skin tone
Sun exposure can trigger hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and uneven skin tone, particularly for those prone to conditions like melasma. By incorporating SPF into your daily routine, you can prevent these issues and maintain a clear, even complexion.
- Keep your sunscreen topped up
Long days of sunshine, sunbathing, swimming and sweating can lead to our sunscreen becoming less effective. For maximum impact, it really is worth reapplying during the day.
- Reduce risk of sun burn, skin damage and skin cancer
Sunburn isn’t just painful; it’s a sign that your skin has been severely damaged by the sun. Repeated sunburns can weaken the skin’s barrier and lead to long-term problems such as hyperpigmentation and increased sensitivity. SPF helps to shield your skin, preventing burns and maintaining its overall health and resilience.
One of the most important reasons to wear SPF is to reduce your risk of skin cancer. UV rays can cause DNA damage to skin cells, which increases the likelihood of developing skin cancer, including melanoma. Wearing a broad-spectrum SPF (which protects against both UVA and UVB rays) is a crucial step in safeguarding your skin’s health.
- Which products to use?
In our opinion, no matter what the price point, we would encourage you to use sunscreen as part of your daily regime – after all, some sunscreen is better than none! However, with such a huge choice available, it’s worth looking at what’s in the products you’re interested in to make sure you get the best protection.
Numie Skin & Laser Clinic recommends Obagi Sunscreens which are available individually or as part of a prescribed skincare system, such as Obagi Nu-Derm.
Obagi sunscreens offer UVA and UVB protection, and some also provide Infrared Radiation protection, to reduce the signs of skin ageing and keep your skin looking healthy.
Key ingredients include:
Physical UVA/UVB protection:
- Zinc Oxide
- Titanium Dioxide
Chemical UVA/UVB protection:
- Homosalate
- Octinoxate
Plus:
- Ceramides
- Glycerin
- Hydromanil™ Technology
- L-ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
- Niacinamide
As Obagi Ambassadors, sunscreen is available to buy from our clinic – whether you’re a patient or not. We will be happy to talk to you about what the difference is between this and other sunscreens, and why it’s worth investing in a product that has been rigorously tested by the Obagi scientists. While there are many different products to choose from, in our opinion opting for a skincare product from a reputable company will give you confidence in the quality of your purchase and minimise any risk of an adverse reaction. Lower quality products can cause skin problems such as breakouts, redness and dryness, while good quality products are often available in specific formulations to prevent such issues from happening.
What’s more, a quality sunscreen may not only protect your skin from the negative effects of the sun’s rays but could even improve the appearance of your skin at the same time.
You will get the best advice from a clinic with proven results and happy clients, so make sure you read a good selection of reviews, ideally for the treatment or products you are considering.
The experience of the clinic’s team will ultimately have an impact on the quality of the advice you receive. For example, at Numie Skin & Laser Centre our lead clinician is Dr Vajpeyi who also heads up award-winning NHS dermatology services in several areas of London. Her recognised expertise ensures that our treatments produce excellent results. You can check out our reviews and find out more about our results guarantees – these will give you a good benchmark to compare with other clinics.
If you’d like to make an appointment call 020 8683 6730
