Stay sun smart

Whether you’re heading somewhere exotic for the summer or enjoying the British heatwave, it’s important that you look after your skin in the sun. The team at the Light Touch Clinic have put together some tips to help you be sun smart

Choose your SPF wisely

Sun exposure is one of the main causes of ageing skin and we should all be wearing SPF every day. With a number of elegant formulas out there (we’re big fans of the Obagi Tinted Sunshield), putting on sunscreen needn’t be a chore. When it comes to the face, look for a formula which offers SPF 30 or higher protection.

If you are prone to breakouts, especially during the hot summer months, choose an oil-free formula which isn’t water-resistant. Though waterproof formulas help sunscreen stay on your skin, they can clog pores by trapping oil on the skin.

Start using an antioxidant

Whilst a good SPF will do much to protect your skin, you should really be pairing your SPF with an antioxidant. Vitamin C is one of the best-researched antioxidants and is proven to enhance your UV protection by guarding the skin from free radical damage. In addition, Vitamin C can help improve the appearance of existing pigmentation and prevent against future sun spots.

Don’t over-cleanse

Unfortunately, the hot weather can send oil production into overdrive. If you have oily skin already this can be incredibly frustrating! Though it may be tempting to wash your face more than twice a day to help keep your skin feeling fresh, fight the urge. Over-cleansing is counterproductive as it can damage your skin’s natural barrier function which can lead to sensitised skin.

Instead, choose your products carefully. Pick a gentle cleanser to use AM and PM and choose an exfoliator to use two or three times a week to really clean out your pores. If your skin is super oily, you might want to consider using a salicylic acid product after cleansing like ZO Skin Health’s Oil Control Pads. Salicylic acid cuts through oil for a deep clean whilst keeping shine at bay by regulating oil production.

When choosing new skincare, we always recommend that you go and speak to a professional as they can analyse your skin and pick products specifically suited to what your skin needs.

Post-Summer Skin repair

If your skin is looking a little worse for wear after the summer or if you have damage from many summers ago, do not despair! There are a number of treatments out there which can help refresh your skin.

1) Sunspots and unwanted pigmentation

IPL is a fantastic treatment for removing sunspots and unwanted freckles. This treatment targets pigmentation with flashes of Intense Pulsed Light, damaging the pigmented cells. These cells are gradually sloughed away over the coming weeks, revealing brighter skin, as you can see in the before and after below.

2) Dull skin

If your skin is looking a little lacklustre post-summer, a superficial chemical peel such as the Obagi Blue Peel Radiance can help get your glow back. This peel removes dulling, dead skin cells for an instant glow and when taken as a course it can help brighten areas of sun damage for a more even tone.

3) Fine lines and uneven texture

Too much sun can exacerbate fine lines and can make your skin texture a little rough to the touch. One way to address this is by booking in with a skin professional for a resurfacing treatment. One of our favourite treatments to use is Tixel. This needle-free treatment helps boost collagen production to plump out fine lines and is gentle enough that we can use it on the delicate skin around the eyes.

For more info on rejuvenating skin treatments to repair sun damage, visit: lighttouchclinic.co.uk

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