There are tens of thousands of videos on TikTok sharing the best tanning routines to achieve the ultimate bronzed look. Tan lines are trending, and influencers are encouraging us to make our own sunscreens. This summer, it looks like Gen-Z is turning their back on sun safety.

 

 

It’s time to get our facts from a medical professional

 

“Tanning is a sign of skin cell DNA damage”, explains Dr Rayhaneh Zahedi, a dermatology specialist.

If you have a tan, you might feel like you look healthier, but Dr Rayhaneh, founder of Quality Health Care Limited cautions against this way of thinking.

“Tanning damages your skin at the very deepest level, so these latest tanning trends are concerning. Some of my patients tell me that their skin looks and feels better after they have been in the sun. But this short-term ‘benefit’ can lead to some very scary long-term issues.”

Temporarily, your skin may look better, but in the long term, the tan has damaged your skin.

“When your skin tans or burns, it goes into high-crisis mode. Water is forced out and there is inflammation at a cellular level. This means the skin is forced into repair mode. The outcome of that repair is that blemishes quickly clear up, but the damage that’s being done to the cells at the same time actually accelerates acne scarring, lines, wrinkles, discolouration, large pores and even skin sagging.”

“When you have a suntan, your skin tone appears more even because the increased melanin (pigment) is spread throughout the entire area. This evens out the colour, making any darkened or discoloured spots less noticeable. When your tan fades, skin is left looking more uneven as the damaged areas struggle to repair themselves. Post-holiday skin is discoloured, uneven, dry and wrinkly, and your tan has damaged the skin rather than helping it to become healthier.”

We have up to 90% control over how our skin ages, and so sunscreen 365 days a year is our non-negotiable for healthy skin.

“People may not realise all the benefits their sunscreen can have”, says Dr Rayhaneh. “We can effectively protect and shield against damaging UVA and UVB rays from the sun, in addition to other environmental factors like pollution and free radical damage.”

Medical-grade skincare experts AlumierMD has reformulated their sunscreen range to protect against six forms of environmental damage, all of which can play havoc with our skin – think ageing and inflammation:

 

  • Infrared radiation (IR)
  • High Energy Visible light (HEV) AKA blue light
  • Pollution
  • UVA rays
  • UVB rays
  • Free radical damage

 

AlumierMD’s Sheer Hydration Broad Spectrum and Clear Shield Broad Spectrum are packed with protective ingredients, to provide your skin 360º protection.

 

Elix-IR – is a knotgrass extract which is rich in flavonoids and protects the skin against the damaging effects of infrared radiation. This sophisticated ingredient is proven to protect dermal fibres from global sun damage (UV and Infrared), while increasing firmness and reducing the appearance of wrinkles, slowing down premature skin photoageing.

 

Physavie – a plant extract that is clinically-proven to biologically reduce damage from infrared radiation and visible light, and protects human cells from the harmful effects of blue light.

 

Exo-P – a substance which forms a breathable shield over the skin, shielding it from the damaging effects of pollution by trapping the pollution particles before they even enter the skin.

 

Vitamin C – combats free radical damage

 

Gluthatione – an antioxidant which helps to rebuild and repair tissues

 

Resveratrol – to protect against skin damage and support your SPF. You’ll be protecting and rebuilding all in one go.

 

Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide – provide powerful broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays.

 

 

Sunscreen is one tool in our sun protection arsenal. Dr Rayhaneh also recommends a few lifestyle tweaks:

“I’d recommend wearing protective clothing such as a long-sleeved shirt and trousers, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses if you are out in the sun. Look for clothing with a UV protection factor (UPF). Seek shade when appropriate. Remember that the sun’s rays are strongest between 11am to 3pm in the UK, but this can differ depending on where in the world you are. If your shadow is shorter than you are, seek shade. I’d also suggest checking the UV index on your phone. When the UV index is 3 or more, the sun is strong enough to cause damage so take care and protect your skin.”

 

And if you can’t resist looking bronzed, it’s time to fake it. AlumierMD’s Sheer Hydration Broad Spectrum has a tinted option, giving us a safe glow this summer.