bad habits: sunbathing
The visible damage
The sun is enemy number one to the skin, as it causes premature ageing, hyper pigmentation, capillary damage, skin thickening and, worst of all, cell trauma resulting in permanent damage that could lead to skin cancer. Emma Hobson, education manager at the International Dermal Institute, suggests imagining your skin cells contain a “memory bank” (your DNA), and that every time you go out in daylight and are exposed to UV it “banks” this information. Skin then stores the damage over the years, but eventually it’s payback time and the true cost of sunburn is revealed. UV rays also break down collagen (which gives the skin its elasticity) and this leads to wrinkles, especially around the forehead, eyes and mouth.
The deeper damage
Most of us think the worst that can happen is sunburn, but just six instances of sunburn will double your chances of getting malignant melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer. “Most people have already suffered much of their irreversible sun damage by the time they turn 18,” says Craig Sinclair, Chair of the Cancer Council’s National Skin Cancer Committee. What’s more worrying is that it takes at least 15–20 years to show up. Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, with about one in two people developing some form of it.
What you can do now
You know the drill: stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm. If you do go out, make sure you wear an SPF30+ sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat and big sunglasses, then stay in the shade as much as you can. There is evidence that a diet high in antioxidants can help prevent the free radical damage caused by sun exposure. Nutrition scientist Joanna McMillan-Price recommends eating as many brightly-coloured fruits and vegetables as you can. “The highest amounts of antioxidants are found in carrots, red capsicum, tomatoes, apricots and green leafy vegetables, as they are rich in beta carotene (vitamin A), which gives the most skin protection,” she says.
Key needs: Hydration, protecting and brightening.
1. Super Aqua-Serum, $232, by Guerlain, 02 9695 4800. Deeply hydrates the skin and lessens any redness with a light formula.
2. Derma Genesis Eye Contour Cream, $29.95, by L’Oréal Paris, 1300 659 259. A must to prevent those fine lines appearing around your eyes.
3. Face Milk SPF30+, $8.99, by Sunsense, 1800 033 706. Gives maximum UVA and UVB protection. An everyday essential and one of the best-value beauty buys you’ll ever make.
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