As the summer holidays begin, it’s worth remembering that sun exposure is the main cause of premature aging in skin.
This is medically referred to as photoaging and is responsible for a range of visible signs and symptoms, including:
- Lines and wrinkles
- Sagging and loose skin
- Loss of youthful fullness
- Pigmentation problems – sunspots, age spots general patchiness and uneven skin tone
- Dry texture and need for more moisture
Research has shown that up to 90% of premature skin ageing is due to the sun.
It is primarily UVA rays that cause the damage, causing skin to age faster than it would have if it had been unexposed or fully protected from the sun. UVA rays can trigger the formation of free radicals, which causes oxidative stress and in turn can indirectly damage cellular DNA.
UVA rays are less likely to burn than UVB, but they are more likely to trigger premature ageing and as they don’t tend to cause sunburn, they can be less noticeable.
What’s more, UVA can pass through cloud and reflect into shady areas.
So understanding how UVA works is a real incentive to protect the skin.
The good news is, sun exposure is something that you can protect against.
Avoiding Sun Damage
Sensible cautions include:
- Avoid spending too long in the sun
- Especially avoid the peak hours 11-3pm
- Wear a sunscreen all day every day of the year to protect from ageing UVA damage. Choose a good sunscreen SPF 50 or 30 as a minimum
- Also cover up with clothing – wear a hat, sunglasses, long sleeves and trousers
- Seek shade when outside
- If you want a healthy glow, reach for the self-tan lotion!
Repairing Sun Damage
The latest professional treatments offer some great options for treating sun damage.
Mulberry House Clinic based in Hardingstone near Northampton offer the revolutionary Tixel thermal fractional rejuvenation system. This uses the heat energy instead of lasers or injections to achieve remarkable results in a number of key areas:
- Improving pigmentation problems
- Boosting collagen production to create firmer, fuller skin
- Promoting fresher and smoother looking skin with fewer visible lines
Other options include:
- Facial Peels or Microdermabrasion for intensive exfoliation
- Laser Treatments to tackle pigmentation and promote healing and renewal
- Dermaroller Therapy to stimulate skin cell activity
- LED treatment to promote healing and renewal
- Retinols – watch our video for more information and see Prescription Skincare
- Anti-ageing injections to tackle fine lines and wrinkles
- Dermal fillers to replenish lost volume and even create a subtle non-surgical face lift
With so many options, it is best to get professional advice on which treatment is likely to be of most benefit.
A consultation with Dr John Tanqueray at Mulberry House Clinic includes a full assessment of the skin and discussion of the patient’s concerns before recommending the most appropriate treatments.
Mulberry House Clinic
Established 2003
Mulberry House Clinic has an excellent reputation in the Northampton area as an independent, doctor-led practice with over 15 years experience. Dr John Tanqueray is a former GP who can assess and diagnose skin conditions from a medical perspective before suggesting the most appropriate treatments.
Private Consultation
A private consultation is the starting point for all patients. This includes a full skin and facial assessment together with a 2-way discussion about the desired results so that the most appropriate treatment plan can be recommended. Find out more about first consultation.
Contact Us
For further information or to arrange a confidential consultation, please complete our contact form, call 01604 702630 or email: info@mulberryhouseclinic.co.uk.
