When you go on holiday from the UK to a warmer climate you are advised to use sun protection suitable for your skin type. It can be very confusing knowing which one to use what with all of those numbers and letters on the bottles and what exactly is the difference between UVA and UVB rays?
But help is at hand! It doesn't matter which brand you use, as long as it has a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) in it and you have not had any problems with that brand's skin products before.
All brands are tested and the cheaper ones are just as effective if used properly.It's advisable to use at least a SPF 15 wherever you are going and higher if your skin is fair and so more prone to burning. A SPF 15 will give you over 90% protection.
It's also best to go for a waterproof variety as even if you are not going in the water, these creams tend to keep you protected longer as they are not easily washed, rubbed or sweated off your skin by day to day activities.
Try to get a sunscreen which is labelled broad spectrum as this will protect you from UVA and UVB rays.UVB rays are the rays most sun creams were originally designed to protect you from. This type of ray burns the skin and is strongest in the summer months.
These rays only have the strength the penetrate the lop layer of your skin, the epidermis and are responsible for darkening (tanning) of the skin. Where this occurs in small areas, these are known as age spots or brown spots.UVA rays are actually far more damaging to the skin and yet it has only been more recently that sun creams have started protecting against this type of ray.
This is because it is only in recent years that scientists have discovered just how harmful these rays can be. This type of ray penetrate through to the second layer of skin, the dermis, and are responsible for premature ageing.
Our top 5 tips for a safe holiday are:-
1. Spend time in the shade between 11 and 3
2. Make sure you never burn
3. Aim to cover up with a t-shirt, hat and sunglasses
4. Remember to take extra care with children
5. Use factor 15+ sunscreen
