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Lockdown level 1 could not have come at a better time. As we say goodbye to an unusually challenging winter in quarantine and welcome the sunshine and warmer weather in spring, an appreciation for the outdoors has undoubtedly grown, especially those who don’t have a garden, balcony or didn’t take the opportunity to go for a walk or run, when permitted, would certainly like to make up for the lost time in the sun.
After being indoors for months with little to no sun exposure, our skin will be sensitive to UV rays and warmer weather. Making up for lost time all within the first week of summer isn’t the best care for your skin. Like exercise, a change in medication or diet, sun exposure should be approached responsibly and gradually. If not, you risk damaging your skin, as sunburn can occur within the first 20 minutes of being exposed to the sun.
Leading South African dermatologist and skin cancer specialist based in Stellenbosch, Dr Johann de Wet, says that exposing the skin to excessive UV light carries both risks for doing acute short-term damage such as sunburn and pigment darkening as well as chronic and much longer-lasting damage like photoaging and skin cancer. He cautions that UV light also affects the skin’s immune system, deploying both pro-and anti-inflammatory responses when exposed to harmful sun rays.
Dr de Wet says that often patients needing treatment for skin problems are the result of the longer lasting damaging effects of UVR. This includes photoageing – from wrinkles, sun spots (lentigenise), spider veins and loss of skin elasticity. But it’s when patients are needing invasive skin cancer treatment later in life due to regular or sudden overexposure to the sun when he wishes families would have taken the simple advice to cover up their skin with protective clothing, hats and sun protection products as much as possible. “Skin cancer is in many instances highly preventable,” he says.
How can you and your family enjoy the sunshine responsibly this summer?
The World Health Organisation (WHO) advises easing out of lockdown into the new normal (as they say). The process should be done gradually to ensure that all necessary, precautionary measures are taken to avoid a new wave of contamination. For your skin, the exact same strategy applies.
Five tips to a healthy and harmonious golden glow this summer
- Remember to apply BIODERMA Photoderm suncream 15 minutes before going outdoors and to reapply sunscreen throughout the day, even when your tan appears. A single application usually lasts up to two hours.
- The dose is key! Applying the incorrect amount of SPF 50 + sunscreen makes it an SPF 25+ protection when too little is applied. All studies show that the quantity of cream applied is half as much as the amount used in laboratory tests. Read the BIODERMA formulated application method to use the correct dosage.
- Prepare for the hot summer days in spring. Slowly expose your skin to the sunlight little by little. Duration of exposure is dependent on your skin tone. The lighter your skin, the slower the process. Average exposure: day 1 = 15 minutes, day 2 = 20 minutes and day 3 = 25 minutes.
- Avoid direct sunlight between 12 pm and 4 pm when the sun’s rays are at their strongest.
- Need a tan? Tanning is a natural biological process of the skin to adapt to our environment. When skin is exposed to the sun, more melanin is produced, turning skin into a darker colour than usual and thickening the visible layer of our skin. These two reactions are purely to protect our body from UV rays. Tanning provides a fairly effective filter for UVB rays and avoiding sunburn. But it offers no protection from UVA and visible rays. It, therefore, doesn’t lower the risk of either premature ageing or skin cancer. The tanning process takes a while to begin. Melanin is produced within the deeper layers of the skin and must migrate to the skin’s surface. After several days of sun exposure, tanning occurs little by little. The intensity depends on your skin tone. An effective and protective sunscreen is the best way to wait for melanin to surface and to tan in complete safety.
Apply these top tips to the whole family and you’ll safely enjoy the sun this summer!
When applying sunscreen, whether you prefer cream in a tube or a spray bottle, BIODERMA’S Photoderm suncare range has the perfect protection and dosage for the adults, kids and babies.
Click here to choose from our BIODERMA suncare range available in South Africa.
BIODERMA Photoderm KID SPF 50+
High protection Sun Milk suitable for children’s fragile skin, face and body.
BIODERMA’s Photoderm KID SPF 50+ strengthens and protects against DNA damage caused by UVB rays, which are particularly harmful to the thin, fragile skin of children. The clear blue colour ensures visible and homogeneous application over the whole face and body and thus guarantees optimum protection. The blue colour disappears quickly after application. The smooth texture provides an incredibly soft sensation for the skin. Approved by paediatricians.
Benefits
- High UVA / UVB protection
- No oily effect
- No white traces
- Excellent tolerance
- Fragrance-free
- Paraben-free
- Octocrylene-free
- Resistant to repeated swimming
- Photostable
- Non-comedogenic
BIODERMA Photoderm MAX LAIT SPF 50+
A MAXIMUM photoprotection milk that stimulates the skin’s self-defence systems.
Benefits
- Cellular bio protection patent in all Photoderm products
- Offers a very high UVA/UVB protection
- Activates the skin’s natural defences and protects from risks of cellular damage
- Smooth texture, colourless upon application, no greasy effect, no white traces
- Very good tolerance – Non-comedogenic – Unfragranced – Water resistant
Dosage
Whatever your age, size or gender, BIODERMA has a new application method recommended by dermatologists for you. Just like medication, there is the correct dosage of Photoderm SPF 50+ for everyone.
Application
- Kids = 4 x R2 coin size per large area
- Mom = 5 x R2 coin size per large area
- Dad = 6 x R2 coin size per large area
Hyperpigmentation, sunburn, premature ageing and risk of skin cancer… the list goes on with reasons as to why applying sunscreen is vital. But have you ever asked, ‘what is the impact on the environment’?
Scientists are currently researching how sunscreen affects marine environments. At this stage, reports show that both organic and mineral sunscreen have a negative impact. In an aim to have as little impact on the marine environment BIODERMA continually improves its products and ingredients based on the latest scientific knowledge available.
BIODERMA set these four rules for themselves
- We select active ingredients with minimum impact on the marine environment.
- We shorten our list of ingredients to the bare minimum.
- Water-resistant formulas with minimal effects on the marine ecosystem.
- Independent testing conducted to evaluate the impact on plants and animals.
Three types of ecotoxicity tests are carried out to measure the effects of all ingredients, filters and sunscreens
- Coral such as Seriatopora hystrix (ISO 10529)
- Marine algae such as Phaedactylum tricornutum (ISO 10253)
- Aquatic invertebrates such as daphnia (OCDE 202)
We purposely tested high concentrations. The results show that our products have little to no effect on marine plants and animals. In natural conditions at normal doses, our PHOTODERM formulas present no danger to the environment.
BIODERMA’s Photoderm range is Ocean Committed, has partnered with Plastic Odyssey and offers an eco-designed formula.
Find Bioderma in South Africa
Available in Dischem, Clicks and selected pharmacies nationwide.
Website: www.bioderma.co.za
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BiodermaSouthAfrica
Instagram: www.instagram.com/biodermasouthafrica
ABOUT BIODERMA:
Biodermas is a NAOS brand. At Bioderma, we deeply respect people’s health and our planet. Ecobiology is at the heart of the NAOS approach, to better preserve and strengthen the skin within its ecosystem. This ecosystem is also part of a larger world. NAOS’s purpose, therefore, extends beyond that of skincare to include human care. We constantly question the status quo, and our ambition is to contribute to a positive future for everyone. It’s this perspective that drives us to revise our product formulations, which are methodically tested for their impact on marine life.
Rochelle is the founder and driving force behind Aesthetic Appointment. With a passion for the aesthetics and pro-ageing industry in South Africa, she has been in the aesthetic publishing industry since 2012, dedicated to creating a valuable platform for insights and knowledge, bridging the gap between patients and doctors - delivering reliable, medical-based information. Rochelle firmly believes in the power of a good skincare regimen, especially when started at home, and is committed to educating consumers about the myriad of treatments, procedures, and products available to them.