Is Staying In The Shade The Fountain Of Youth?

Let’s start with the hard hitting truth: data doesn't lie, and it shows that UV radiation from the sun is the main source of skin damage amongst men and women of all ages. This can appear as wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots, visible blood vessels, thickening of the skin, and in the worst cases, skin cancer.

If you're a heliophile (sun-lover) like me, and feel your best when you have a great tan, this can be a hard pill to swallow—trust me, I know. But have no fear, we'll also cover some great ways to achieve a sun-kissed look, while avoiding the sun, and maintaining healthy, youthful looking skin!

What Makes The Sun So Bad For Our Skin?

Photo-damage, i.e. sun damage, happens when UV rays penetrate the skin layers and damage the DNA of our cells. UVB rays are short, and UVA rays are longer, allowing them to penetrate deeper. UV damages the skin by throwing off elastin and collagen production. Prolonged and repeated sun exposure can lead to permanent damage, a phenomenon called photo-ageing.

Lauryn Bosstick, creator of one of my favourite blogs, The Skinny Confidential, says it best with the title of her latest book: Get The F*** Out Of The Sun which has recommendations from over 100 skin gurus. Not to mention, the book itself makes for an adorable coffee table topper.

How To Protect Your Skin From UV Damage

If you're ready to start taking your skin protection to the next level, keep reading. Here are some of the no brainers you can start with:

Use a minimum 40 SPF sunscreen on your skin, 365 days per year. Reapply every 2-4 hours, depending on where you are and what you're up to. Reapply. Reapply. Reapply. Right now, I'm using EltaMD UV Clear Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 on my face, and La Roche Posay Anthelios Lotion SPF 60 on my body. Pro-tip: don't neglect your hands! Hands are often exposed to the sun and are also prone photo-ageing, protect them with sunscreen every day!

Wear a wide-brimmed hat. A great way to protect ourselves from photo-aging especially when spending time outdoors is to get a few sun hats or visors to wear on rotation—I like this one from Amazon. I know it can be tricky to work hats into your style/aesthetic, so if you absolutely cannot ruin your perfect fit with a hat that day, try to be more on top of your sunscreen re-application.

Take shade breaks, I repeat: t a k e s h a d e b r e a k s. Whether you're on a beach getaway, at a pool party, at a sporting event, or just lounging outside. Try not spending more than 45 minutes in the sun at a time. Get some rest under the parasol, or go inside for a little break, whatever you gotta do to get that beautiful face of yours out of the sun and cool down for a little while.

Can We Reverse Early Signs of Photo-Ageing?

Here's the good news: we live in a day and age where we have access to high quality product formulas, and cutting edge aesthetic treatment technology, which can be used to help to reverse the signs of photo-aging.

Cosmeceuticals

While avoiding the sun, try to start including products containing some form of retinoid, vitamin C, or alpha-hydroxy acids in your daily routine. If used consistently, a combination specific to your needs and prescribed by your dermatologist or medical aesthetician could provide noticeable results. If you are using any type of retinoid, stay the f*** out of the sun and to avoid damage caused by increased photo-sensitivity.

Professional Treatments

In terms of treatments, you can opt for chemical peels, hydrafacials, PRP facials, micro-needling, microdermabrasion, or laser resurfacing, the list goes on! Each option should be carefully considered by you and your skin care professional before making the right choice, and timing your treatments appropriately for your skin’s needs in the short and longterm.

Getting the Sun-Kissed Look Minus the Sun

Brands like Isles of Paradise, Tanologist, and Tan-Luxe, offer a topical alternative in the form of serums that give the skin a more bronzed appearance. Test the product on your hand first - we are not going for the Donal Trump lewk over here, so make sure you choose the right shade with a quick drop on the hand first.

For the bod: my favourite self tanner is and will always be the St. Tropez Self Tanner Purity Bronzing Water Gel. It’s clear coloured and reacts directly with your pigment, so it doesn’t look like an orange layer sitting awkwardly on top of your skin. With the right application technique, you can avoid blotchy patches and get a natural-looking, glowy look.

I’ve also been hearing rave reviews about the Loving Tan product line lately.

Check with your skincare professional before tanning your skin with any type of product, ensuring that it will not be interfering with any ongoing treatment.

Key takeaways for preventative photo-aging: avoid extended sun exposure, and seek advice from professionals for professional grade treatments—your future face will thank you!

#PhotoAgeing #PhotoDamage #GetTheFuckOutOfTheSun