EXTREME HEAT WARNING: 5 Things You NEED To Do To Protect Your Skin

Overnight The MET office issued an extreme heat warning, with temperatures expected to soar to over 35 degrees in some parts of the UK this week. This means we could be on track to break the current record of the hottest day recorded in the UK, which was set back in 2019 when 38.7C was recorded.

With sun protection queries searched over 400,000 times every summer, West Yorkshire aesthetics clinic Evolve Medical are sharing their 5 expert tips to help the nation protect their skin during this extreme heatwave.

A study revealed that 1 in 3 Brits (35%) burn their skin every year in the UK, with a further 46% burning whilst abroad. With 80% of premature ageing caused by UV damage it’s more important than ever to protect your skin whilst we experience these extreme temperatures.

Nothing less than factor 50 every day
Applying a sun protector should be part of your daily routine. But did you know that you should be applying sun block? The main difference between suncream and sunblock is the way they protect the skin from UV rays.

Factor 50 and nothing less should be applied to your face each day to protect your skin from sun damage. The team at Evolve Medical’s go-to is Heliocare 360°, a professional SPF range which protects against UVA, UVB, visible light and infrared-A.

The team at Evolve Medical added “Most sun protection products will gradually break down and become ineffective after around 2-3 hours of direct sun exposure, so if outside it is important to re-apply every couple of hours.”

Protect yourself from UVA and UVB
We’ve all heard of UV rays but did you know you need to be protecting yourself from two different types? UVB is the more widely thought of type of ray that comes from the sun and causes you to burn. Less commonly known, we have UVA rays. UVA rays come from artificial light and are around us all the time, coming from your computer screen, TV screens and phone.

Rachel Green, Nursing Director, at Evolve Medical, adds “UVA is a much longer ray, it can penetrate down to the layers of your skin where your collagen is being produced, causing premature ageing as well as sun damage. Sun protection that contains both UVA and UVB protection is referred to as broad spectrum sun protection and it is vital to wear this all day, every day, all year round.”

Choose a suncream that suits your skin type
When choosing skincare products we select products suited to our skin type, and the same should be done when choosing a suncream. It’s just as important as any other product you’re applying to your face to select one based on your particular skin type. Applying a cream that is too heavy can leave you with angry, congested pores.

Rachel Green, Nursing Director, Evolve Medical suggests using SPF protection that also includes antioxidants if you have problem skin, “SPF protection that also contains Antioxidant protection is even better still as the antioxidants help to defend the skin cells from damage caused by the sun and will also protect our skin cells DNA.”

Your hair needs SPF too
According to recent research, excessive sun exposure is the most damaging factor to the structure of your hair, with UVA rays fading colour and UVB leading to breakage. The sun acts as bleach on hair which can be extremely damaging, especially if your hair is already colour treated. So, don’t forget to use a lightweight hair sunscreen.

Give yourself a monthly skin examination
Early detection of skin damage is key to not only reducing aesthetic problems but also spotting abnormalities that could be a sign of something more serious. All you need is a well lit room, a mirror and some concentration. Learn the texture of your skin, look out for the pattern of any moles or freckles so you can refer back to these in the following months and if you spot any changes make an appointment to see your GP.