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Elave Sun’s Top 4 Tips for staying safe as temperatures soar
The sun is the skin’s No1 enemy. Over 90% of skin ageing – fine lines, wrinkles, brown spots and sagging - is caused by ultraviolet rays. It’s sobering to consider that a blistering sunburn in childhood doubles the risk of developing melanoma later in life, and that a tan is actually a sign of skin damage. So, if you want to look younger for longer, and avoid the more serious consequences of dermal damage, here are our Top 4 Sun Safe Skin Tips!
Tip 1 – Use a high factor, broad spectrum sunscreen every day
Dermatologists advise using sunscreen all year round, even in Ireland, but particularly from March to September, and always when on a sunshine holiday. Look for a UVA & UVB ‘broad spectrum’ sunscreen, which protects against deeper, ageing dermal damage as well as sunburn. It is vital to use the correct Sun Protection Factor – for example, if you burn in 10 minutes without sunscreen, Factor 30 will give you 10 x 30 minutes’ protection.
Elave Sun SPF30 and Elave SPF50+ are specially created for dry, sensitive and eczema-prone Irish skin. These gentle vegan formulations are infused with 12 antioxidants and 9 botanicals to guarantee no itching, prickling or rashes while delivering high protection in an invisible zinc formula, which means you won’t look like a ghost on the beach. Use with Elave Daily Lip Defence SPF20,an ultra-hydrating lip balm containing coconut oil, shea butter, naturally derived lipoamino acid and antioxidant vitamin E to moisturise, re-condition and protect against environmental damage. Peppermint Oil gives a cooling sensation.
Tip 2 – Apply sunscreen properly and top up as often as required
Sunscreen will only offer maximum protection if properly applied. An egg cupful should be applied over the body at least 15 minutes before going outside, to give it time to sink into your skin. Reapply at least every two hours throughout the day, as well as after playing sports, swimming or toweling off. There is no such thing as a waterproof sunscreen, but Elave Sun is water-resistant, giving you a measure of protection while you are in the water.
Don’t forget to protect areas like ears, backs of legs, and the tops of your feet, which can burn before you know it. Do not rely on make-up products which contain sunscreen – on their own, they do not offer adequate protection, so always use a sunscreen as well. Elave Daily Skin Defence SPF45does double duty as a high protection factor moisturiser enriched with antioxidant vitamins B5 & E which can be worn under, or instead of, makeup every day of the year.
Tip 3 – Take practical steps to protect yourself outdoors
Avoid exposing your skin in the middle of the day. When the sun is at its hottest, stay in the shade, relax and drink plenty of fluids. Always wear a hat and loose clothing for comfort and protection. Remember that children burn much more quickly than adults - babies and infants should not be in the sun at all. Elave Paediatric is a broad spectrum sunscreen which blocks out 98% of harmful UVA & UVB rays in a clean, non-irritating formula suitable for delicate young skin. This water-resistant, allergen-free formula with advanced infrared thermal protection is paediatrician approved from newborn.
If skin gets a bit overheated, cool it down with a tepid bath or shower and applyElave Botanical to damp skin. This non-greasy, easily-absorbed lotion is packed with skin nourishing ingredients including aloe vera, coconut extract, vanilla planifolia, apple, apricot, vitamin E, natural glycerin and menthol.
Tip 4 – Managing sensitive skin conditions while on holiday
Eczema: some people who live with eczema find a bit of sun helps, but for others it can cause issues. In photosensitive dermatitis, the immune system reacts badly to UV, triggering flare-ups which can occur shortly after exposure – or even days later. Certain types of medication can also increase skin sensitivity in sunlight, so this is worth discussing with your healthcare professional. Emollients likeElave Intensive Creamremain the surest way to treat eczema-prone skin. Put your emollient on first, wait 30 minutes, then apply a sunscreen to prevent dilution. Do not rub in the sunscreen, as this can cause irritation, simply apply in downward strokes. Do not go out into the sun wearing just emollient as you might as well fry your skin! As sweat is a common trigger for eczema, rinse off frequently and wear loose clothing to avoid overheating.
Acne: lying out in the sun does not help acne - that is a mistaken belief. The dehydrating effect of the sun may look like it is helping to clear up your skin, but ultimately it does more harm than good. This is because the sun dries and thickens the top layer of the skin and the body compensates by producing even more oil, leading to more breakouts later on. Exposing acne to UV without protection leads to an increased risk of scarring and hyperpigmentation. Elave Sun sunscreens are noncomedogenic (meaning they are oil-free and will not block your pores) which is beneficial for those who don’t want shiny skin or to make their acne worse.
Rosacea: sunlight and rosacea are not a good mix. Even a few minutes of exposure can lead to redness and flushing across the nose, cheeks and face, so wear a big hat to protect your face and stay in the shade during the hottest hours of the day. Iced drinks are ideal for rosacea suffers, but avoid over-imbibing alcohol, especially red wine, and add soda water or lemonade to other alcoholic beverages. Avoid spicy foods. If makeup triggers your rosacea, apply a mild fragrance-free emollient like Elave Intense Moisture Surge to your skin first, followed by rosacea-friendly makeup.
More information on staying safe in the sun on this website or check out the Sun Smart Code at irishskin.ie (Irish Skin Foundation) orwww.cancer.ie (Irish Cancer Society).
