Summer skin
Fake tanning
You know you shouldn’t overdo sun exposure, but it occasionally happens. So, on that odd occasion when you do get caught out, here’s how to rescue your skin from redness, inflammation and dehydration.
What’s going on?
Every bit of damage we’ve done, which includes a tan, is stored in our skin’s DNA – increasing our likelihood of wrinkles and thick, dry crepy skin with open pores, redness, and age spots.
Dry, thickened and crepy skin commonly appears on the most exposed areas of your body, such as the chin, lower cheeks, décolleté and the side of the neck.
Cover it
Always shield your skin from the sun, and use intensive moisturisers to plump up the skin’s surface. Thanks to your DNA, skin does have the ability to repair itself, but it needs to be given the chance.
Rosy cheeks aren’t always a sign of health, but may be couperose – visible red spidery blood vessels (which may be on the nose and neck too) caused by sun and harsh skin care that damages the elasticity of the capillary system in the skin.
Treat It
You may want to try conventional treatments, such as sclerotherapy or lasers, which shrink the blood vessels. Alternatively, seek ingredients such as edelweiss extract, which helps strengthen blood capillaries, or evening primrose oil, which may reduce redness and inflammation.
Dark brown age spots that commonly appear on the backs of hands and sides of the face (but can appear anywhere on the body that frequently sees sunlight) are a classic sign of long-term UV damage.
Fix it
IPL (light therapy) is best for removing significant pigmentation marks, while lightening products tend to thin the skin, making it even more vulnerable. Look for ingredients such as yeast that help suppress tyrosine, the enzyme for melanin production.
Read our suncare rules
Find the best fake-tans
Don't miss the signs of skin cancer
Learn how to avoid skin cancer
Find out skin cancer facts
To find out more about skin cancer, go to goodtoknow.co.uk
