Category: Skin Care For Men

Why do we need to protet our skin? – What are we protecting it from?

Well, there are THREE key reasons

Firstly, for our health. Skin cancer is on the increase and there are different types of skin cancers. There are those that occur mainly on exposed areas such as the neck and chest, to the very serious types of cancers that can spread throughout the body and cause very high mortality rates.

Secondly, it is to protect the skin from environmental factors which create a lot of different skin issues – not just ageing signs such as wrinkles but free radical damage which can cause inflammation and lead to breakouts, hyperpigmentation, darkening in the skin and an uneven skin tone.

Thirdly, your confidence. Breakouts, uneven skin tone, sagging skin, pigmentation, and premature ageing can all impact our confidence which makes protecting our skin important.

We are genetically programmed to age. This is deeply influenced by our genes which impact how our hormones will behave and regulate. The second part is just the way we naturally age. This part, is extremely important as it’s the part you have control over through your lifestyle and environment.

Sugar intake has a direct impact on our skin ageing process, as well as stress, and of course, UV and radiation. Studies have shown that 90% of premature ageing is secondary to environmental damage. Of that 90%, 75% is due to incidental damage from just walking around and being exposed to our environment – even on cloudy days.

Some people think that we don’t need to protect our skin if we don’t need live in a warm climate, but that isn’t true”.  

When it comes to the outside world, there is a significant reduction in collagen when we are exposed to various environmental factors. We need to protect the skin from this kind of damage as well as cellular damage.

How can antioxidants help to protect the skin? 

In order to be active and biologically active, antioxidants need to be stable enough to penetrate the upper levels of the skin and get into the cells that need protecting. When looking to add an antioxidant such as vitamin C  to your skin routine, you should look for certain formulas, our range of Alumier could help, ask for a skin consult with us here). Antioxidants such as this will help to protect the skin from environmental damage. 

An antioxidant serum and protective broad-spectrum sunscreen are two of the most powerful products in any skincare routine – no matter your skin type. But, when used together, their effectiveness increases and provides the skin with double the defence against environmental aggressors.

Please get in touch or book in with one of our Experts here, if you want to have a quick chat, please do give us a call on 01932 731762

We’ve all heard that daily SPF is a skin essential, but often in our cloudy climate it’s easy to think we’re safe, there’s not much sun, let’s just skip it.

But wait, what’s that? Oh, it’s the sound of every skin professional in the land roaring PUT ON THE SPF!

Why is that? Turns out, UVA rays speed up the ageing process and these rays are always present, no matter the weather and can even reach us through windows. UVA damages skin cells in almost all the layers of our skin which leads to visible signs of ageing such as wrinkles, fine lines and uneven pigmentation. UVB rays are the ones that cause sunburn and suntan and damage the top layers of skin. Only sunscreen labelled broad spectrum will protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. As well as helping to protect against skin cancer, broad spectrum sunscreen helps prevent premature skin ageing every.single.day.

So, with all that in mind, we’ve put together a fuss-free guide on how to turn SPF application from a chore into a lovely pampering part of your skincare routine.

Find your formula
First up, find a formula you love applying and that loves your skin right back. Some of us will remember the sticky 1980s sun oils that smelled like cocktails and caused almost instant breakouts. Fortunately, that’s all in the past! The latest formulations are lightweight, smooth, and contain ingredients that work to improve the look and feel of skin too.

At Surrey Laser Clinic we have Alumier, thier physical sunscreens include a combination of micronised zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to protect the skin from damaging rays and come in six different varieties so you can find your perfect daily blend.

The varying textures are a joy to apply, and all are packed with antioxidants to help diminish signs of damage. For a more tailored approach, we always recommend chatting with a skin expert for advice that takes into account your skin’s needs, your goals and lifestyle.

Join the SPF Everyday club

Next, join the SPF everyday club, by making your sunscreen a non-negotiable part of your morning routine; as second-nature as cleaning your teeth or making that first cup of coffee (shout out to the caffeine fans out there!).

Apparently, it takes about 21 days to form a new habit, so try setting an SPF alarm for the first month of usage, and it will soon become automatic, especially if you ensure you have a sensorial product that you love applying.

There’s a lot of sunscreen options out there these days, physical, tinted, clear, matte, moisturising and many more. It’s also worth making sure your SPF is in a visible position –next to your toothpaste, or right beside your makeup, definitely not hidden away at the back of a cupboard.

Get your application down to a fine art

Thirdly, if you’re going to use it, use it well and ensure you’re applying enough. The current guidelines suggest half a teaspoon for face and neck. It does seem a lot but try layering rather than rubbing it all into the skin in one go. Vigorous rubbing can also contribute to a breakdown of some ingredients, so definitely one to avoid.

The recommended application is to smooth your chosen sunscreen all over the face and neck, wait a couple of mins and apply a second layer the same way. For the best advice on application, contact our skin professionals for a one-to-one, not only will they cover what your skin needs, but they will also show you exactly how to apply all your skincare for the best results.

Top up for skin success

Finally, keep your SPF handy for top ups. Reapplying sunscreen every two hours is the ultimate self-care for skin and will ensure you’re well protected from those damaging UVA and UVB rays all day long. Keep a tube in your beach bag and (skin insider hack) set an alarm on your phone so you never miss a top up.

Please get in touch or book in with one of our Experts here, if you want to have a quick chat, please do give us a call on 01932 731762

Thank you so much to our friends at Alumier for this Blog.