Summer has finally arrived, the weather is gorgeous and nothing compares to a morning of fun in the summer sun with the family. This can inevitably lead to adults and children alike feeling very sore come evening as a result of not taking the correct precautionary measures to prevent the inevitable… Sunburn!
Each of us have at some point in our lives experienced a sunburn (or two) and we can all attest to fact that it causes discomfort, pain, tightness, tenderness and of course, long term damage within the skin. Just 15 minutes of exposure to the summer sun during midday can cause a sunburn, but how does this impact our skin?
The skin is an incredible organ which has the ability to offer you natural protection from the sun in the form of melanin, or pigment that naturally occurs within the skin. However the protection that melanin naturally offers is not enough to withstand prolonged exposure to the UV radiation, and as a result skin burning occurs causing redness, irritation and even swelling. One can even experience sun stroke that comes with overexposure to heat, causing fever spikes, tenderness in joints, headaches and even confusion. On a cellular level, sunburn can cause cellular breakdown leading to skin ageing, hyperpigmentation responses and possible skin cancer formation. Severe sunburn in early childhood years has been linked to skin cancer formation in adults. Younger skin is not only more sensitive, but all natural defence mechanisms are not yet fully developed at this stage, making children especially susceptible to the harmful effects of the summer sun.
How does one go about best preventing a sunburn in summer sun?
Be thoughtful of the time of day you are venturing outdoors.
The sun is at its worst between 10am and 4pm during the day, even on overcast days. Avoid spending prolonged time outdoors during this time without adequate protection.
DermaFix DermaShield SPF40 offers optimum protection against harmful UVA/UVB radiation. This oil-free formulation includes Zinc Oxide, encouraging wound healing benefits, and is ideal across all skin types. DermaFix Dermashield SPF50 has the benefit of providing high UVA/UVB protection along with offering water resistancy for up to 40 minutes in water. This makes it perfect for the active individual, or for those spending time in and out of water on a beautiful Summer’s day. Always remember, with any sun protection, it is very important to reapply once you have towel dried to ensure protection is maintained. The use of DermaFix Ferulic + C + E alongside sun protection use offers powerful antioxidant protection against the ravages of the summer sun and free-radicals we expose our skins to on a daily basis. This serum offers up to 72 hours of protection by strengthening the skins own natural protective capabilities. Use this every morning for optimum protection.
Wear protective clothing.
Science has helped in the development of materials that offer UV protection, and many clothing items such as swimming costumes are now available offering this benefit. Opt for these when shopping for your next beach outfit. A wide-brimmed hat and the use of a large beach umbrella is also of huge benefit, providing additional shields against the sun and possible sunburn.
What action should I take if I have been sunburned?
Should it happen that you have experienced a sunburn, the need to offer your skin some relief is very necessary. A cool shower or bath helps to cool off the skin, whilst drinking plenty of water is imperative to stay hydrated. Topical application of DermaFix HydraSooth SOS provides topical relief, calming inflammation whilst soothing redness and irritation. The inclusion of Watermelon fruit extract and Vitamin E helps to repair and restore the skin, easing pain and discomfort whilst promoting skin healing.
Prevention is always better than cure, an important fact to remember when it comes to the long-term health of the skin. For more information on the abovementioned DermaFix products, contact DermaFix Cosmeceutical Skin Care directly on 0861 28 23 23, or visit www.dermafix.co.za.
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