Easy ways to stop the rays
Publication:AGE, Edition:NATAGE, Page:J006 PageType:A3Proof Typeset On PDF5005 at 17/12/2014 1:34:02 PM by AArcher
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6 THE AGE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2014
ADVERTISING FEATURE
HEALTH & BEAUTY
Easy ways to stop the rays The best way to save your skin is to avoid getting sunburnt, writes Erin Munro.
T
wo in three Australians will develop skin cancer before the age of 70, so it’s worth brushing up on how best to look after your largest organ during the peak UV season. “The most important thing is sunscreen,” says cosmetic physician Dr Jenny Kimmins. “In summer, we advise people that if they’re going to be out in the sun, they have to wear very high protection sunscreen, so one that’s got at least an SPF 50.” And even though paler-skinned folk are most susceptible to sunburn and skin cancers, Dr Kimmins says the advice applies to everyone, as all skin types can suffer severe UV damage. To be most effective, sunscreen needs to be broad spectrum, covering both UVA radiation, which causes sunburn and skin cancers, and UVB radiation, responsible for freckles, pigmentation, and wrinkles. While sunburn by UVB radiation only occurs outdoors, UVA radiation can be received through windows and in cars. “A big mistake is not wearing sunscreen if it’s not warm,” Dr Kimmins says. “Another thing is, a lot of people wait until they get to the beach, or their activity, and then they put their sunscreen on. It really takes about 15 to 20 minutes for most sunscreens to absorb and start protecting the skin. If you put
NATAGE J006
Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, despite product claims of being long-lasting and water resistant.
it on before you leave the house, you’re going to have better protection.” Dr Kimmins says more Australians are leaving their sunblock on the shelf,
fearing vitamin D deficiency. But she cautions against this. “What you’re much more likely to be doing is damaging your skin,” she explains. “I know
this sounds a bit extreme but I always say to people you’re much better off wearing sunscreen and supplementing your vitamin D with diet or capsules.” While spray tans and do-it-yourself tanning lotions are popular, Dr Kimmins warns that having a fake tan ‘‘is not going to protect your skin at all from sun damage”. It’s safest to apply a layer of sunscreen over the fake tan, and the higher the SPF, the better, she says. Dr Kimmins strongly advocates applying a stand-alone sunscreen daily, even if using cosmetics that have some SPF coverage. For those prone to acne or oily skin, sunscreen in spray, gel or milk form might be preferable. Dr Kimmins says sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, despite product claims of being long-lasting and water resistant. It’s also wise to cover up with protective clothing, a hat and sunglasses and have regular skin checks for early changes. If, against all your best intentions, sunburn occurs, Dr Kimmins suggests soothing aloe vera gels and thermal water sprays “which are cooling but also have some healing properties”, as well as niacinamide (vitamin B3). When applied topically, vitamin B3 helps with inflammation and protects the skin from damage to the cells that can lead to skin cancer.
High resolution
6 THE AGE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2014
ADVERTISING FEATURE
HEALTH & BEAUTY
Easy ways to stop the rays The best way to save your skin is to avoid getting sunburnt, writes Erin Munro.
T
wo in three Australians will develop skin cancer before the age of 70, so it’s worth brushing up on how best to look after your largest organ during the peak UV season. “The most important thing is sunscreen,” says cosmetic physician Dr Jenny Kimmins. “In summer, we advise people that if they’re going to be out in the sun, they have to wear very high protection sunscreen, so one that’s got at least an SPF 50.” And even though paler-skinned folk are most susceptible to sunburn and skin cancers, Dr Kimmins says the advice applies to everyone, as all skin types can suffer severe UV damage. To be most effective, sunscreen needs to be broad spectrum, covering both UVA radiation, which causes sunburn and skin cancers, and UVB radiation, responsible for freckles, pigmentation, and wrinkles. While sunburn by UVB radiation only occurs outdoors, UVA radiation can be received through windows and in cars. “A big mistake is not wearing sunscreen if it’s not warm,” Dr Kimmins says. “Another thing is, a lot of people wait until they get to the beach, or their activity, and then they put their sunscreen on. It really takes about 15 to 20 minutes for most sunscreens to absorb and start protecting the skin. If you put
NATAGE J006
Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, despite product claims of being long-lasting and water resistant.
it on before you leave the house, you’re going to have better protection.” Dr Kimmins says more Australians are leaving their sunblock on the shelf,
fearing vitamin D deficiency. But she cautions against this. “What you’re much more likely to be doing is damaging your skin,” she explains. “I know
this sounds a bit extreme but I always say to people you’re much better off wearing sunscreen and supplementing your vitamin D with diet or capsules.” While spray tans and do-it-yourself tanning lotions are popular, Dr Kimmins warns that having a fake tan ‘‘is not going to protect your skin at all from sun damage”. It’s safest to apply a layer of sunscreen over the fake tan, and the higher the SPF, the better, she says. Dr Kimmins strongly advocates applying a stand-alone sunscreen daily, even if using cosmetics that have some SPF coverage. For those prone to acne or oily skin, sunscreen in spray, gel or milk form might be preferable. Dr Kimmins says sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, despite product claims of being long-lasting and water resistant. It’s also wise to cover up with protective clothing, a hat and sunglasses and have regular skin checks for early changes. If, against all your best intentions, sunburn occurs, Dr Kimmins suggests soothing aloe vera gels and thermal water sprays “which are cooling but also have some healing properties”, as well as niacinamide (vitamin B3). When applied topically, vitamin B3 helps with inflammation and protects the skin from damage to the cells that can lead to skin cancer.
