Although many of us love the feeling of the sun on our skin, exposing ourselves to the sun does come with its risks. Most of us will wear a strong SPF to protect our skin if we are travelling to a warmer climate for our holidays, yet we spend the vast majority of the rest of our time unprotected from the sun’s harmful rays.
Not everyone is aware that the sun’s rays give off UVA and UVB radiation that can be damaging to our skin health even on overcast days. Radiation from the sun is powerful and can even make it through the clouds when it is dull in the autumn and winter.
What is the difference between UVA and UVB?
UVA or Ultraviolet A has a longer wavelength than UVB and is the type of radiation that is responsible for some types of skin cancers and premature ageing and wrinkles.
UVB or ultraviolet B is associated with sunburn and can contribute to melanomas and other forms of skin cancers.
HEV and IR-A
There is also a risk for our skin health from HEV high-energy visible IR-A light in the violet and blue bandwidth wavelength, which we are exposed to in our modern world via our screens, devices and fluorescent lighting. Research has shown that HEV light may be as harmful as both UVA and UVB combined, with repeat exposure leading to premature ageing and potentially even cancer.
ZO Skin Health sun protection
At Enhance Clinispa one of our recommended skincare brands for protecting the skin against the sun and other damaging light forms are ZO Skin Health products.
ZO Skin Health takes a comprehensive approach to sun protection and doesn’t just create SPF products that block UVA and UVB, but also include the use of HEV high-energy visible IR-A light and infrared protection in their sunscreen formulations. The products protect the skin from the sun as well as daily sources of HEV light such as LED and fluorescent lighting, smart phones, computers and tablets.
ZO Skin Health sunscreens also have additional antioxidants, hydrators and inflammatory and cellular repair agents which strengthen the skin’s barrier function and improves the skin’s ability to repair itself.
How does sun exposure affect us as we age?
When we are younger our skin is naturally more youthful looking with less effects of sun damage as we have not been exposed to the sun’s rays for as long, however the damage from sun exposure can still be seen in younger patients.
Before the age of 20
In lighter skinned individuals we may see freckles that indicate sun damage is present and that the patient may be more susceptible to more severe sun damage as they age. Darker skinned individuals or those who tan more easily are still susceptible to sun damage, but this is more likely to take the form of leathery looking skin and textural damage in later life.
After age 20
If the skin has not been well protected patients will begin to see the effects of sun damage which could appear as dull, rough skin or as discoloration such as sun spots and hyperpigmentation. In our 30’s and 40’s we will see actinic keratosis and lentigines in individuals who have not protected their skin from the sun. During our 50’s a lack of sun protection can lead to pronounced textural skin damage and in some cases we will see precancerous lesions.
ZO Skin Health SPF’s are not only formulated to protect skin from the sun, but they have different products that have been formulated to address the sun protection concerns for all age groups.
Where to buy ZO Skin Health in Bolton?
If you would like to find out more about how ZO Skin Health SPFs can be included in your skincare routine we would be delighted to invite you book into our medical aesthetic clinic in Bolton for a consultation. Enhance Clinispa is a ZO Skin Health training consultation expert in Manchester that sells ZO products, and we can advise on the best sun protection for your specific needs.
