If there’s one thing we love to get bossy about at Time Out its sun protection. One of the perks for most people who move to the Middle East is having easy access to the beaches and the all-year-round sunshine. But as we all know, lying out in the sun is harmful to your health. So why not make a change to keep your skin protected, youthful and healthy instead. We quiz Samar Maatouk, manager of Silkor Abu Dhabi and general skin guru, to get the low down on sun protection and how you can look after your skin this summer.
What common skin issues do you see from people who have had too much exposure to the sun?
With the weather getting hotter, there is a tendency for your skin to turn dry and lose its elasticity. Once elastin levels decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles becomes visible. But the most dangerous problem is skin cancer. The ultraviolet radiation emitted from the sun is main cause of this cancer.
What mistakes do you see people making in terms of over exposure to the sun?
Having a tan always makes you feel great, but in the end you just end up wrinkly with skin damage. Your skin is the protective cover of your body so taking good care of it is a must. Use sun block to eliminate premature aging and to avoid sunburn. Use the right SPF and make sure you don’t lie in the sun and bake, because even though you might have applied sun block the skin will burn after being exposed to the sun’s rays.
How different is the risk of skin damage in the UAE to elsewhere in the world?
The United Arab Emirates is well known for the strong sun and temperature rising during the summer months, which usually start early. The combination of high temperatures and humidity levels put your skin at a higher risk here in the UAE compared to other countries.
What hours of the day should you avoid the sun?
We would like to point out that sun rays contain vitamin D which is beneficial for the dermis – of course in moderation. That being said, we advise to avoid sun exposure between the peak hours of 10am and 4pm. Protect yourself by wearing a hat, sun protective clothing and sunglasses when you are outdoors.
What advice would you give to look after your skin in summer in the UAE?
•l Block the sun with sun block. We recommend an SPF of 50 as a minimum to protect your skin.
•l Drink water, it makes up about 60 percent of our bodies. It is crucial when it comes to hydration.
•l Avoid the sun in peak times and don’t lie out and bake.
What treatments would you recommend for people with a lot of sun damage?
Multiple treatments and products these days can tackle this skin issue – especially pigmentation. In this case, Vitamin C comes to the rescue and it is highly recommended in the summer season.
Sunscreen explained:
You must be protected from UVA and UVB rays
While UVA are the ageing (wrinkling) rays, UVB are the burning (skin cancer) rays. Most sun protection will take care of UVB, but you need to ensure you’re covered from UVA too. Look at the ingredients, if you see ‘avobenzone’ or ‘zinc oxide’ then you’re UVA safe. Avobenzone has a bad reputation for being unstable (disintegrating after a couple of hours) but some brands have added oxybenzone to it, which lessens the break down, meaning you are protected better, for longer. The SPF on the bottle refers to your protection from UVB rays.
Wear higher SPF for longer protection, not stronger
SPF doesn’t refer to the strength of your protection it refers to the length of time you’re protected for. So, if you’re using SPF 10, you will get ten times the amount of time in the sun it would usually take for you to burn. If you use SPF 30, you will get 30 times. So, assuming it takes your skin ten minutes to burn with no protection, using SPF 30 you have 300 minutes protection from that application. But as soon as you swim or sweat you need to re-apply, or you are back to zero protection. It is vital that you use enough product. Roughly one teaspoon per limb is required for your SPF to be able to do its job at the strength indicated on the bottle. So if you use too little product, your SPF 15 could come down to an SPF 4.
Care for your skin long after the sun has set
Should you have accidentally managed to get sunburned (we promise to pretend we’re not judging) then you need to get antioxidants onto that skin super quick. Think skin care with Vitamin E, C and green tea, and slather that stuff on. This will help neutralise the free radicals attacking your skin and prevent the premature ageing that those free radicals cause. Also, keep going for a few nights: free radicals can keep at it for up to 72 hours.
Silkor offer a Vitamin C facial that is perfect for sun damaged skin. Following a thorough cleanse and toning a Vitamin C enriched mask is applied and left for 20 minutes. The mask helps to rehydrate and the Vitamin C works to repair and refresh the skin. A Vitamin C serum is then massaged into the skin which helps to brighten and make it less dull. Highly recommended for sun damaged skin and for when your skin needs a pick-me-up.
1 Fake tan has come a long way since the days of bright orange limbs and a not so pleasant scent. Slather it on for a natural looking tan, Sephora, Dhs55.
2Using sun block daily is very important. Make it part of your daily routine. Use a high SPF moisturiser under your foundation in the morning. Molton Brown, Dhs385.
3 Sun block that comes in a big pack with a spray is very handy to have at home or in the car. Keep it at arm’s reach so there is no excuse not to put it on. Bioderma, Dhs173
4 To achieve a natural glow, try a bronzer so you can have a tanned look without having to go out in the sun. UNE, Dhs127.
5 A serum is an excellent investment for your skin and can help to repair past damage but also to prevent future damage. Apply it before bed to reduce the signs of ageing. Estee Lauder, Dhs485.
6 A tinted moisturiser is perfect for people on the go. It’s a foundation and a moisturiser in one. Put it on with some SPF lip balm and mascara. Bioderma, Dhs100.
