Sunscreen Is A Very Important Part Of Skincare

We see so many patients in our Leeds skin clinic, seeking skincare advice, who are not using a daily sunscreen even in our miserable
weather or patients who like to get a tan as they feel it makes them look healthy. We are
sorry to tell you, but there is no such thing as a healthy tan and it is important that you
understand the sun’s impact on your skin, after all, you wear it every day.
Short term sun damage presents as sunburn. Long term unprotected sun exposure causes
gradual damage to skin known as sun damage, and accounts for around 90% of the signs of
skin ageing.

UVB rays are the main cause of sunburn because they damage the skin’s more superficial
epidermal layers and also play a big part in the development of skin cancer. These rays vary
according to the weather conditions, being more intense on a hot summers day.

UVA rays are present every day of the year at equal intensity during daylight hours. These
rays penetrate into the deeper skin layers affecting collagen, elastin and blood vessels.
An SPF of 30 blocks 96.7% of UV rays so only allowing 3.3% to pass through, compared with
an SPF of 15 which blocks 93.3%, allowing 6.7% through, which is twice as much.
It is therefore extremely important that you purchase ‘broad spectrum’ sunscreens to
ensure you are protected from both the UVA and UVB rays. There has been an increase in
skin cancer rates in North America, which may be down to UVB focused sunscreens, which
will prevent burning but will increase your risk of UVA damage.

There are two types of sunscreen filters, chemical and physical. Chemical sunscreen filters
are made up of small particles that are absorbed into the skin, with dozens of studies done
in the last decade showing the harmful effects these have. Many sunscreen chemicals are
known/suspected hormone disruptors, allergens and carcinogens. Not only do they have
this health implications but they do damage to the environment when washed off in the
sea, killing marine life and damaging reefs.
Sunscreen is also needed to protect the skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage our
skin by damaging our DNA. Typical sunscreens only protect up to 55% from free radicals.
Alumier sunscreens are packed with different types of antioxidants for a full range of
protection and only use physical filters to give you the safest protection. They are also free
from parabens, petrolatum, mineral oil and dyes. Sunscreen is recognised that the most
effective cosmeceutical used to prevent and reverse the signs of ageing is sunscreen.

The top tips from Serenity Aesthetics Skin Clinic for staying safe in the sun are:
1. Limit your sun exposure- Stay out of the sun between 11am-4pm.
2. Cover up- Wear sunglasses and a hat.
3. Use enough sunscreen- Wear it every day and use around ¼ tsp for your face.
4. Timing- Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before going out.
5. Reapply- reapply every 3 hours if you are outside for long periods and reapply after
swimming, washing, sweating.

Alumier sunscreens come in a travel friendly 60mL bottle and costs just £35. A range
of tints and sunscreens are available to suit your skin needs as we appreciate one
size does not fit all. Our favourite is the sheer hydration giving a glow to the face,
available in a tinted and non-tinted version. Alumier also offer a matte sunscreen for
those that are the more oily skin type. For those that suffer with sever breakouts and
acne, the clear shield sunscreen is a non-comedogenic, ensuring that it does not clog
pores and lead to further breakouts, like so many sunscreens do.

For purchases or for a FREE full skin consultation and assessment contact Serenity
Aesthetics Skin Clinic on 01138214565 or email info@serenityaesthetics.co.uk