SUMMER has now well and truly arrived, with temperatures due to hit a record 34C today.
Meanwhile, thousands of Scots are enjoying sunshine holidays overseas.
So it is essential we all know how to look after our skin.
We recently told how teen Shaun Devenney suffered horrific burns when he accidentally used sunscreen that was out of date.
And if you’re not an expert it can be tricky to know which brand and protection factor to pick.
Today, skin health pro Jodie McLuskie, who runs Skinstitute Scotland, tells readers everything they need to know to protect themselves this summer.
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Jodie, whose clinic and training centre is based in Glasgow, explained: “Everyone should be buying a broad-spectrum sun cream that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
“UVA causes premature ageing and pigmentation and UVB is responsible for burning. You should be using SPF30, minimum.”
The expert says sun worshippers often think about getting a golden tan rather than the damage the rays are doing to their skin.
And she adds this is a major error.
Jodie said: “Most people will look at the factor and believe the lower the factor, the better the tan. But that is a big misconception.
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“You’re actually more susceptible to burning, which can lead to premature ageing or, worse, skin cancer.
“It’s really concerning being the owner of a skin clinic to know that people would choose a tan over their health.
“Another misconception is that you only need to apply an SPF cream when in the sun. You should apply an SPF daily.”
She added: “I am constantly reminding my patients to wear an SPF daily, even in winter.
“Prevention is better than cure and with UV rays causing 90 per cent of premature ageing, and more and more people being diagnosed with skin cancer, it is essential.”
As well as looking at the SPF, Jodie says holiday shoppers need to be mindful of the star ratings on sun cream.
She said: “The star rating is a measure of how much UVA is blocked. You want one with at least four stars.”
When it comes to buying sun cream, the skin supremo reckons high street brands do not cut it.
She said: “Very few over-the-counter products will be broad-spectrum.
“You should be looking for UV protection of both UVA and UVB filters, but only a very small percentage of people do. For a SPF for the face, you can pay between £30 and £50.”
It is not just about buying the right product, according to Jodie.
You also need to remember that one coat does not last all day, no matter what the bottle says.
She said: “You should apply sun cream every two hours. There are brands out there and you just apply once for the day. But this is a big no no.
“If you have been in the pool and sea, dry off and apply more.”
Teenager Shaun found out the hard way what happens when sun cream goes out of date.
The youngster’s mum was sold expired cream and did not notice until the lad had suffered terrible burns and blisters.
Jodie said: “Expired sunscreen should be considered ineffective, as we are unable to determine the UV protection it will provide — if any.
“Over long periods of time, the active ingredients in the SPF break down, eventually becoming less potent and therefore do not offer full UV protection. If in doubt, throw it out.”
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And if you are one of the many Scots who have sensitive skin, Jodie reckons you should choose specialised sun cream. She added: “People with skin issues or sensitive skin should opt for a medical-grade product instead of an over-the-counter product. Many over-the-counter products contain chemicals that cause irritation to the skin.
“Medical-grade skin care is important because the active ingredients not only improve skin conditions, but maintain a healthy skin.”
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