Aug21.qxp_Jan 2014 Aff 02/08/2021 22:24 Page 12
Common Sun Protection Mistakes Dr Rayhaneh Zahedi, a dermatology speciality doctor at Quality Health Care Ltd shares the common mistakes people make when in the sun.
“Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK”, explains Dr Zahedi. “We’re seeing increasing numbers all the time.”
Dr Zahedi is a skin surgeon, who removes skin cancers and abnormal moles on a weekly basis. “I see the damaging effects not just from an aesthetic perspective, such as wrinkles and pigmentation, but also the cancerous lesions people risk getting when they don’t protect their skin.” Younger people are most vulnerable in the sun Dr Zahedi warns that young people are at highest risk. “The most likely cause of skin cancer is our lifestyle in the first 20 years of life, as well as an accumulation over the years. This is because the skin is more delicate and therefore vulnerable when we are younger.”
SPF in makeup doesn’t give enough protection Dr Zahedi cautions against relying on the SPF in your makeup. “It worries me when people only wear sunscreen in their foundation or moisturiser. Not only will the SPF probably be a very low factor, but it’s likely that you’re not reapplying it every two hours, which is important. Most SPF in makeup doesn’t provide physical protection (more on that later), and most people don’t apply it everywhere it is needed, like your ears and the back of the neck. My advice? Stick to standalone sunscreen and apply your makeup afterwards if you would like.”
Skin cancer affects all skin tones People with all skin tones need to protect themselves, according to Dr Zahedi. “Skin cancer can affect everyone – for example Bob Marley passed away from melanoma”, says Dr Zahedi. “While those who are fair skinned, red haired or burn easily are at more risk, no one is completely protected. Skin cancer can also be more fatal for people with darker skin due to late identification and diagnosis.” Choose a physical sunscreen The debate between chemical and mineral sunscreens rages on. Due to the large particle size of mineral sunscreen zinc oxide, some mineral sunscreens can cause a white casting on darker skins tones. Meanwhile, alternative chemical sunscreen filters have become a nogo in the “clean beauty” movement. Dr Zahedi shares her expertise: “I would rely on a mineral, physical sunscreen. Physical sunscreens give you a physical barrier of protection against the sun’s harmful rays. They can be thick, heavy and cast a white tone on skin, which can be off-putting. However, there are amazing
physical sunscreens out there. My favourite is AlumierMD’s Sheer Hydration Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 40 (Versatile Tint) which is a sheer physical sunscreen, that provides powerful broad-spectrum protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays. It uses a combination of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide while moisturizing with vitamin E. It’s really versatile and the tint blends beautifully on the skin. Your skin actually looks better with it on, it’s gives a lovely sheen and is a great primer for makeup.”
Sunscreen doesn’t equal breakouts “I treat a lot of people with acne”, says Dr Zahedi. “Generally, people with acne can find SPF blocks their pores, which triggers their underlying inflammatory skin condition. If you are acne or breakout prone, look for a non-comedogenic (non-blocking) SPF. I would recommend AlumierMD’s Clear Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 42, as it is a lightweight, non-comedogenic physical sunscreen.”
Check your own skin every month Look out for the signs of sun damage. “When I am assessing someone’s skin, I am looking out for a few key signs”, says Dr Zahedi. “These signs include new skin lumps, brown spots, ulcers, moles that have changed and sores that won’t heal. I recommend checking your own skin on a monthly basis, so you can identify any changes. Look out for pre-cancerous lesions, which are often flaky, scaly and crusty growths, often on the backs of the hands, arms, chest, neck and ears – anywhere exposed and often where people forget to apply sunscreen. We can treat these with prescription creams, freezing or remove them surgically, reducing the risk of developing skin cancer.” Use more sunscreen than you think One of the most common misconceptions is how much sunscreen to apply. Most people only apply 25 to 50 percent of the recommended amount of sunscreen required for adequate protection.
“People generally don’t use enough sunscreen”, says Dr Zahedi. “People often don’t like applying it, or when the sun isn’t out people don’t think they need to wear their sunscreen. It’s so important to find a luxurious feeling SPF that you enjoy applying. AlumierMD’s sunscreens feel like a moisturiser; think of it as another part of your skincare regime. Generally, I recommend you need to put on more sunscreen than you think, and don’t forget all the areas of your skin like your eyelids, lips and ears.” For more information on AlumierMD products, visit www.alumiermd.co.uk For more information about www.qualityhealthcareltd.com
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