Don’t Forget to Protect Your Skin This Summer

Whether you’re heading for somewhere exotic, or planning to stay at home and make the most of the British summer, it’s important that you remember to protect your skin from the sun. It’s not just the strength of the midday sun that damages your skin, any sun or daylight can have a detrimental effect on your skin.

Try to stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm when the sun’s rays are the strongest. If you wish to be in this sun during this time, then you should try to wear light clothing that will protect your skin. Wear wrap-around sun glasses to ensure that your eyes are not damaged by the UVA sunlight.

If you’re unable to protect yourself with clothing, then using a good quality high factor sunscreen will help to protect your skin. But don’t think that you are completely safe, just because you are wearing sunscreen, it needs reapplying regularly. You also need to use a sunscreen that is at least SPF Factor 30 . Check the use-by date, if it’s out of date, it may not offer the same protection. Don’t forget to rub the cream into every area the sun’s rays could possible touch you, don’t forget your ears and exposed areas of your head. You should always apply the cream 30 minutes before going into the sun, this gives the skin adequate time to absorb the cream. If you are swimming or sweating a lot, you’ll want to reapply the sunscreen every hour or so.

If you are planning to be in the sun over the entire summer, you should check your skin over for signs of sun damage regularly. Always look at yourself using a full length mirror and examine any existing birthmarks, moles and skin blemishes to check if their size, texture or colour has changed. If any of these have become uncomfortable or sore, it could be a sign of sun damage and you may need to check with your physician. Don’t forget that skin cancer is most treatable with an early diagnosis.

Everyone should do their utmost to protect their skin from damage. However, people with a higher risk of skin cancer should pay the most attention. This includes people who have fair skin and whose skin burns rather easily. If you already have a lot of freckles and moles, it’s a sign that you are sun-reactive and should take extra care. If you have a history of being easily burned by the sun, or you have had experience of severe sunburn, you should take care, your skin has already been damaged and may be more easily damaged in future. If you have red or fair hair, you should also take precautionary care in the sun. If you have light-coloured eyes, you should also take care to wear sunglasses that meet sun protection guidelines, rather than simply look fashionable.

But sun damage doesn’t only increase the risk of skin cancer, it also produces many unsightly skin problems that will reduce your self confidence and cause your skin to be permanently marked.

Dr Jain recommends the following creams to help combat the effects of sun damage:

• Prevage MD
• Priori Even Tones
• Priori Idebenone Moisturising Cream
• Priori Daily Defense SPF30
• Vitage Skin Protector SPF 30

Vitage SPF 30 works! Another satisfied customer at Riverbanks

If you're a sun lover, it's easy to think that using a higher SPF sun cream will make getting a tan harder, and reach for the lower SPF, or indeed no protection at all.

So it's always nice when we get testimonials from customers who have become converts!

Says Mrs Dawson, who bought our Vitage SPF30 skin protector:

I have to admit I was reluctant to use such a high SPF when it was first recommended to me at the clinic.

I love the sun, and feel that my skin looked better with a "healthy" tan.

I was concerned that using sun protection 30 would mean that I would stay pale and uninteresting throughout the summer!

However, common sense prevailed. One of the reasons for going to Riverbanks Clinic was because of the premature ageing and sun spots on my skin - so I thought I would take the plunge.

Imagine my delight & surprise when my skin gradually turned brown - and I was secure in the knowledge that whilst there's no such thing as a healthy tan - I was protecting my skin and minimising the negative effects of the sun.

Vitage SPF 30 is now part of my daily skin care regime - and I have just purchased the larger size to use on my whole body when I sun bathe. I can definitely recommend everyone using it - to prevent further damage to your skin or to protect your skin against damage in the first place.

It's great to see someone taking our advice, although reluctantly at first, and realising that these products DON'T stop you getting a tan but DO help to protect your skin!

Browse through the Vitage range in our online shop, and make sure that your skin is protected, whatever the weather!