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Summer skincare tips – How to prevent sun damage and premature ageing

2019’s summer is shaping up to be another scorcher with plenty of sunshine and a couple of heatwaves under its belt already. Whatever the weather turns out to be in August, like most people you’re probably planning to take a holiday somewhere nice. Somewhere nice usually involves lots of time spent in the great outdoors whether it’s on a beach or at a summer festival. In short, its time to enjoy that sunshine.

Sun exposure is a natural feature of daily life during the summer months and essential for maintaining healthy levels of vitamin D. You do however need to be careful that you do not expose your skin to too much sun. Apart from the increased risk of various types of skin cancer, excessive sun exposure will prematurely age your skin. So what can you do to prevent the effects of sun damage but still ensure you enjoy the benefits of the summer sunshine? Here are a dozen summer skin-care suggestions:

Enjoy 15 minutes sun exposure a day
Everybody’s skin is different and if you have darker skin you may need slightly more than 15 minutes, but during the months of March and October, 15 minutes sun exposure a day should be sufficient to ensure your body produces adequate levels of vitamin D. Obtain your exposure between 11am and 3pm (lunch breaks are ideal) and make sure you obtain this exposure outside; without sunscreen. This ensures your skin is exposed to the right type of UV rays. Exposing your lower legs, forearms and hands is enough to ensure your body produces sufficient levels, but make sure you do not burn your skin. How long your skin takes to burn will depend on your skin type so just watch out for any signs of redness and avoid this at all cost.

Protect your skin every day
Now that you’ve got your 15 minutes of daily sun exposure it is important that you cover up, even if you are going back inside. Unfortunately, the type of UV light that your body needs to produce vitamin D can’t penetrate windows. The UV light that doesn’t stimulate vitamin D production but still causes skin damage can penetrate windows. This is why it is so important that you make sure you cover up even when you are inside. You can cover up with clothing, hats or sunscreen. Using a good quality sunscreen like one of the Obagi products that provide high levels of protection (at least SF30) is really important. Not only will these high-quality products provide wide spectrum protections they’re also much more comfortable to use on the skin as they’re not greasy.

Gently cleanse and tone
Soaps are not suitable for washing your skin, particularly during the summer months. They strip away your skin’s protective essential oils and cause irritation. This irritation, in turn, accelerates your skin’s ageing process. Make sure you use a non-alcoholic cleanser or toner so that your skin’s natural PH is not unbalanced and make sure you get the right product for your skin type. If you’re unsure of which toner or cleanser is right for your skin, speak to one of the Brigstock personal practitioners who will be able to advise you.

Moisturise every day
Your moisturiser is probably one of the most important skin care products in your wash bag over the summer months. You’ve simply got to ensure you prevent the sun from drying out your skin. It is however true to say not all moisturisers are created equal. Sufficient levels of peptides and vitamin A are a couple of key ingredients to look out for. Peptides help your skin repair the effects of sun damage and vitamin A helps with your skin’s production of collagen, which reduces and prevent the formation of wrinkles. All the Obagi moisturisers contain these essential ingredients, which is why the Brigstock Centre recommends all our patients use them.

Gently exfoliate regularly
During the warm weather your skin is prone to sweating more. This can lead to an excessive build-up of dead skin cells and the subsequent clogging of your pores. By using a gentle exfoliant on a regular basis you’ll remove the build-up of dead skin cells and stimulate the skin’s blood circulations. It is important you choose a good quality gentle exfoliant like the Obagi 360 exfoliating cleanser.

Wear sunglasses
Not only will sunglasses protect your eyes they’ll prevent you from squinting. Repetitive squinting and contraction of the facial muscles that you use when squinting, eventually cause permanent wrinkles to develop on your face. Simply wearing a cool pair of shades prevents these lines appearing in the first place.

Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables
A large number of studies have shown that a good diet full of fresh fruit and vegetables helps your body protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun. If you’re looking for some tasty healthy recipes that are easy to prepare, to sign up for the Brigstock monthly newsletter and take a look at the Brigstock recipes online here.

Keep hydrated
In the summer when it’s warm it much easier to become dehydrated. Apart from the very serious effects of severe dehydration, mild levels dehydration will dry your skin out. The solution is simple. Make sure you drink enough fluids like pure water or green tea. Using one of the fruit infusers is a nice idea too. These allow you to infuse pure water with any fruit of your choice. As well as benefiting from improved hydration, you also get the benefits of improved taste, vitamins and antioxidants.

Drink less alcohol
Alcohol is pretty tough on your skin. Not only does it dehydrate your skin it also causes low-level inflammation which reduces your body’s ability to repair any damage including sun damage. Over time this will make you look older.

Don’t smoke
If you do – pack it in. Not only is it bad for your overall health it will prematurely damage your skin. This exacerbates the effects of any sun damage you incur over the summer months.

Exercise almost daily
It doesn’t need to be too much, but do try to do something daily. The evidence is quite clear. Moderate regular exercise improves your body’s circulation, stimulates collagen production and also helps boost your immune system. This in turn helps you counteract your skin’s intrinsic and extrinsic ageing processes including that caused by sun damage

Adopt the Brigstock daily Summer Skincare Solution
A good well thought out summer skin-care routine will really help. Below is the Brigstock daily Summer Skin-care Solution routine, designed to help protect you over the summer months. It’s got all the elements you need to ensure your skin looks and feels amazing throughout these long summer days.

Morning:

Wash with Obagi-C Rx Cleansing Gel
Apply Obagi Professional-C (lilac)
Apply Obagi Nu-Derm Sun Shield SPF 50
Apply mineral makeup, as needed.

Evening:

Wash with Obagi 360 exfoliating scrub
Apply Obagi-C Rx Therapy Night
Apply Obagi Nu-Derm Hydrate where your skin needs extra moisturiser
Wait 15 or more minutes then apply retinol or retinoic acid if prescribed

Normally this basket of Obagi products would cost you £343.50 if you were to purchase them individually. By quoting the promotional code BSSS0616 you’ll be able to save over 10% with this month’s special price of £299 + 10% off any retinol, retinoic acid or mineral make up you purchase with your Summer Skincare Solution kit.

If you’d like to pick up a Brigstock Summer Solution Skincare Solution kit or would like any more advice on the best ways to look after your skin during the summer months, call the centre now on 020 8683 6730 to arrange an appointment with one of the centre’s personal practitioners.

Watch Dr Nilu’s summer skin care tips here:

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