As we hopefully begin to see a little more sun over the next few weeks, we would like to remind you that we recommend protecting your skin every day. SPF is essential in any skin care routine and today’s blog post will explain why.

The sun is the star at the centre of our solar system. The nuclear fusion reaction in its core provides what we call sunlight – the most paramount source of energy on earth. As a symbol of warmth, life and the passage of time, the sun has been a subject of veneration long before its physical properties were understood. Considered in some cultures as a deity, its power has always been acknowledged and accepted.

The ultraviolet radiation in sunlight allows the synthesis of vitamin D3, a vitamin that is good for calcium levels and bone health. It can be found in foods such as eggs and cheese or taken as a dietary supplement. However, the radiation from sunlight is also a mutagen. A mutagen is a physical or chemical agent that permanently changes genetic material. These changes in DNA can cause the development of cancerous cells. The first reports of an association between sun exposure and skin cancer appeared as early as the 19^th century, but these suggestions were largely ignored as tanned skin had become a symbol of health and wealth by the first part of the 20^th century. By the sixties, the dangers of excessive sun exposure had become well-established by scientists. Nowadays, it is understood that as well as causing cancer, long-term UVR exposure also causes autoimmune disorders, eye diseases and premature skin ageing.

Ancient civilisations protected their skin from the sun through natural ingredients and avoiding the rays at their hottest. It is a natural human instinct to attempt to protect the skin against sunburn, but, unfortunately, sun damage can often occur unnoticed. Over the centuries, the experimentation of different products to test their efficacy in shielding skin led to the first commercially available sunscreen in the United States of America in 1928. Franz Greiter is considered to have introduced the concept of Sun Protection Factor (SPF) in 1962, creating the first sunscreens to absorb UVA as well as UVB. 

The Sun Protection Factor is a universal metric used to quantify the effectiveness of a sunscreen against erythema. Erythema is the redness of skin caused by injury, inflammation, or in this case, sunburn. The method of regulating SPF determines the minimum erythematous dose (MED - the smallest amount of energy required for triggering the erythema) in areas of protected and unprotected skin. The SPF value is calculated as the ratio between the MED of protected and unprotected skin.

Here at our medical aesthetic clinic, we recommend protecting your skin from the sun daily, using a product with at minimum 30 SPF every morning. This is because UVA, visible light and infrared-A can damage your skin all year round; the rays are powerful enough to penetrate cloud and glass. In the clinic, we stock Heliocare as our go-to sun protection range. Heliocare 360 offers high-level, broad-spectrum protection against UVA, UVB, visible light and infrared-A. They have a variety of different formulations to suit each skin type and condition, such as water-based or oil-free gels for example. We have no doubt you’ll find your sunblock soulmate.

We also offer skin rejuvenation treatments in the clinic, such as our IPL laser photo rejuvenation that reduces sun damage, stimulating new cell growth and increasing collagen production. With the fact that UV causes 80% of skin ageing in mind, we would like to encourage you to be sun-safe this summer! If you have any questions or concerns about your skin, you are welcome to book a complimentary consultation with one of our clinicians.

Written by Jessica Moriarty.

Sources: Lucas, R.M., Repacholi, M.H. and McMichael, A.J., 2006. Is the current public health message on UV exposure correct?. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 84, pp.485-491.Schalka, S. and Reis, V.M.S.D., 2011. Sun protection factor: meaning and controversies. Anais brasileiros de dermatologia, 86, pp.507-515.

Urbach F. (1991) Franz Greiter. The Man and His Work. In: Riklis E. Photobiology. Springer, Boston, MA.