As we moved into the hot, mid-year months, protection for our skin becomes even more important. The tanned-look and by that, we mean natural sun-kissed skin; not the overcooked, orange, Hollywood overdone type – is in.

But while some may spend prolonged hours outdoors working hard at perfecting their golden looks, it would pay to take all the necessary precautions; including being aware of the dangers of overexposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. The pitfalls of such overexposure are very real and shouldn’t be overlooked.

In a nutshell, there are three types of UV rays from the sun : UVA, UVB and UVC. UVC is not considered a serious threat as it is absorbed by the ozone layer. UVB causes burning of the skin or the red associated with sunburn, skin cancer and premature aging of skin.

UVA rays stimulate tanning, but are also linked to other problems such as cataracts, premature aging of skin, wrinkling, loss of skin elasticity and skin rashes. The obvious effects of overexposure to such UV rays are sunstroke, sunburn, tanning and burning . Although these rays can’t be seen or felt, they penetrate the skin and stimulate cells containing a brownish pigment called melanin. Melanin tries to protect the skin by absorbing and scattering UV rays.

People with darker skin tones have higher amounts of melanin and have greater natural protection from UV radiation; but they aren’t totally immune to burning and skin damage – caused by careless exposure to the sun. As UV rays stimulate melanin, it rises to the skin’s surface as a tan. A tan is damage to the skin but may provide some protection against future sun exposure.

Blondes, redheads and people with fair skin have less melanin and therefore burn more quickly. Sun exposure causes damage to skin cells and skin’s DNA. When this damage occurs, some cells are able to repair themselves but others die.

Repeated burning can lead to long-lasting damage from sunburn; the most common of which are the development of skin cancer, immune system suppression and premature aging. However, you don’t need to actually suffer from a burn to destroy your skin cells. It is a common and dangerous misconception that sunburns only occur on hot, sunny days. In truth, because sun exposure damages us through radiation, we can be burned just as easily when snow skiing as on a hot day on the beach. Your risk of overexposure increases at higher altitudes; and the sun’s rays are capable of penetrating through fog, haze and light cloud cover. So don’t assume you’re safe on a cloudy day.

The dangers

Too much sun can have serious repercussions that range from embarrassing to life-threatening. There are several types of skin cancer that forms in:

• melanocytes (skin cells that make pigment); it is called melanoma.
• basal cells (small, round cells in the base of the outer layer of skin); it is called basal cell carcinoma.
• squamous cells (flat cells that form the surface of the skin); it is called squamous cell carcinoma.
• neuroendocrine cells (cells that release hormones in response to signals from the nervous system); it is called neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin.

Most skin cancers form in the older people on parts of the body exposed to the sun or in people who have weakened immune system.

Sunburns covering enough of the bpdy can be life-threatening. Dehydration or not drinking enough water is another. Exposure to the sun dries us out. Untreated, it can lead to heat stroke. Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition that requires emergency medical treatment. The opposite problem of dehydration is water intoxication (hyponatremia). This is very rare condition comes most commonly from sweating all day and only drinking water.

It’s important to replenish electrolytes, carbohydrates and other nurtients in the body as well as water. If you don’t feel like eating on a hot day when you’re sweating a lot, drink a sports drinks instead of plain water. As Dr. David Orentreich, Clinique’s Guiding Dermatologist advises, ” There is no harmless amount of sun exposure for the skin. Even small daily amount of UV exposure contribute to photo-aging, alterations in the immune system and skin cancer. In fact, we now believe that about 80% of the skin changes we perceive as ‘aging’ are due to sun exposure. This is why daily sun protection is crucial all year long, regardless of season.”

Sunscreens

Clinique's new range comes with SPF 30 & SPF 50

There are a good number of reasons to slather on that sunblock and keep re-applying throghout the day. Sometime in the not too distant future, you’ll look back and thank yourself for having been overzealous with the sunblock. It’s better to err on the side of caution.

Why look like a wrinkled prune way before your time? Nearly 90% of wrinkles are caused by the sun’s UVA light and sun damage is the number one cause of premature aging in women and men which addresses the questions why UVA rays are so evil.

Even at low-level exposures, UVA light breaks down collagen, which causes wrinkles. UVA is the main culprit for many melanomas because it  reaches deep into the underlying support structure of the skin. UVB does more damage to DNA than UVA; but UVA rays penetrate more deeply and therefore cause deeper damage than UVB rays. It is surprising then that not all sunscreens or SPF moisturisers adequately protect against both.

Previously, there was no way of measuring the effects of UVA on the skin, unlike UVB which can be measured and developed through ingredient formulation. But  sun care products such as Clinique Sun’s newly launched range that comply with strict European Union guidelines are just the companions that sun-lovers and sun-seekers need to have with them at the beach.

Proper sunscreen use

Safe sun care starts with proper usage and application. It might sound like one of the easiest things to do, but believe it or not; most people don’t use sunscreen properly. They are just applying only 25% to 50% of the recommended amount. Sunscreen should be applied liberally enough to all sun-exposed areas so that it forms a film when initially applied. It takes 20-30 minutes for sunscreen to be absorbed by the skin, so it should be applied at least half and hour before going out in the sun.

Sunscreen shoould also be the last product applied especially on the face since some sunscreens can break down in the presence of water contained in water-based foundations and moisturisers. So, assuming you’ve been good with the sunblock application, don’t be misled into thinking that you’re done. You need to reapply every two hours if you stay out in the sun for an extended period.

Better yet, as one study has shown, reapplying sunscreen 20-30 minutes after being in the sun is more effective than waiting two hours. It is possible that this time period is more effective because most people do not apply enough sunscreen initially, and this second application approximates the actual amount needed. Sunscreen should also be reapplied after swimming, excessive sweating or towelling.

Tom Mammone, Clinique’s executive director of Biological Research and Development says no one sunscreen can do all and be all. Future sunscreen products will have several components or parts that work together. For instance there may be UVB, UVA and IR absorbing molecular antennas which take up the light energy. The latest development in UV protection is that it is more than just sunscreen. The topical use of antioxidants and anti-inflammatories are boosting SPF values and helping to protect skin.

He also emphasized the need for separate sun care products for the face and body. The skin on our face and body have different needs and depending on the time of year as well as your behaviour, are exposed to the sun for different periods of time. But the difference do not end there. In many cases, people like to combine their daily facial sun protection with other benefits. For example, to diminish fine lines and wrinkles or protect against other environmental aggressors.

There is also the need to consider what level or SPF strength to use. When you consider that you are protecting your skin from short term and long term damage, it is not advisable to use anything less than SPF 15, especially on your face where you are exposed to the sun year-round.

If you are prone to burning or intend to spend an extended amount of time in the sun you should consider increasing the number. It is also a question of vanity; photo damage caused by exposure to the sun contributes to aging and uneven pigmentation which of the two of the most common skin concerns among women.

And there you go! Timely advice to heed before you head out on a vacation. UV damage is mostly avoidable and experts believe that four out of five skin cancers can be prevented.

Embrace yourself, it's summertime!