Leading Skincare Expert Lorraine Scrivener’s Guide to Staying Sun Safe

As crowds of pale-skinned Brits descend on the nearest postage-stamp sized piece of grass to soak up those precious rays, it’s worth holding off on the T-shirt tan jokes and considering the science behind summer’s feel-good factor. When the body absorbs UV light, it releases the hormone serotonin, also known as the “happy hormone”. Along with giving us the vital dose of vitamin D that our body needs for healthy bones, a moderate amount of sun exposure can do all kinds of good: it increases the production of white blood cells, boosts the immune system, and can benefit skin complaints like acne, psoriasis and eczema, though it’s vital to consult your GP and use adequate SPF protection.

Of course, this doesn’t give you license to hit the beach and fry yourself to a crisp. Exposure to high levels of UV without protection damages the melanin-producing cells, causing changes to pigmentation and solar keratosis, and regular sunburn could eventually lead to serious concerns like basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas and malignant melanoma. But with just a few little changes to our daily routine, we can stay sun safe and love our skin. Here’s how.

SPF and Application
Rule 101 of sun protection. I recommend an SPF 30+ for the face and neck area and if in a hotter climate an SPF 50. Make sure the formula includes protection against UVA and UVB. It may sound extreme, but on holiday you should be re-applying once every hour and after going into the water. Don’t forget that your eyes and lips need attention, too.

In addition, apply a good quality SPF under your foundation, and keep re-applying while out and about. You may think that one application of a foundation containing SPF is enough, but it really isn’t! Even on cloudy days the UV can be high. A great product for this is the mineral-based SPF Colour Science: it’s quick and easy to brush on, with no mess, and can be used for both men and women.

Aftersun
Keep the skin soothed and hydrated by applying a generous layer of aloe vera or after care lotion in the evening to prevent flaking and peeling, allowing it to sink in overnight. It’s a common misconception that aftersun lotion should be used in the event of sunburn, when it fact it’s essential after any significant amount of sun exposure.

Ditch the Sunbed
With the spray tan industry offering countless long-lasting options in a range of shades and price points, there’s zero need to put your skin through the dangers associated with sunbeds, so just don’t do it. We love the soft, natural glow of James Read’s spray tans, available at Harvey Nichols.

Check Your Moles
It is so important to check our skin and any moles or freckles regularly, looking out for any change in size, colour, bleeding, itching or anything unusual. If you are unsure, always visit your GP or seek advice from the experts at The Mole Clinic, whose key services include ‘state of the art’ MoleMapping, using total body photography to check for new or changing moles, single mole check and cosmetic removal, and even a TeleDerm iPhone app which uses advanced tele-dermoscopy to view beneath the surface of the skin to identify and diagnose the earliest of skin cancers that are invisible to the human eye.

Pigment Correction
There are various pigmentation correction treatments, from skin peels to light therapy to Eden Skin Clinic’s IPL Skin Rejuvenation, which are all designed to draw pigmentation to the surface. During a thorough consultation your practitioner will advise on a treatment plan. However, it’s worth noting that pigmentation treatments aren’t a quick fix and may take time to achieve an end result. A great product for helping to remove unwanted dark spots and pigmentation is the Agera Phyto Lightening Cream, designed to suppress pigment activity and help lighten pigmentation.

Electrolysis
Sun bathing can cause tiny little blood vessels to burst and unsightly sola keratosis to form. These can all be removed using a treatment called ACP (Advanced Cosmetic Procedures) using Electrolysis, which uses a small probe to cauterise any small, unwanted blemishes.