Tag Archives: UVA

Is the sunscreen in a moisturiser enough

Is the sunscreen in your moisturiser enough? We talk to the experts to find out. Many moistuisers these days come with an SPF, and that’s a great idea. But often the label and packaging doesn’t give you much of an idea of exactly what protection your getting. They may say SPF 15, 20 or 30 and that’s fine if you’re talking about UVB protection, but most don’t say if they have a UVA sun protection rating as well. Does that matter? Yes. There are important differences between UVA and UVB rays and the damage they do to your skin. UVA…

Why you need sunscreen every day

Sunscreen isn’t just for summer holidays. Dr Zara Kassam PhD explains why you need it every day. When you pack for a summer holiday, no do doubt your sunscreen has its spot next to your beach wear. But good sun protection isn’t just for the beach. No matter where you are a daily Sun Protection Factor (SPF) all year round is vital for protecting the skin against the harmful effects of the sun’s rays. And if you are not wearing sunscreen every day, it’s time to rethink that decision as sun exposure is the number one cause of skin aging.…

Digital face: can your phone or laptop really age your skin?

Is your phone or laptop really causing your skin to age and if so how and what can you do about it? Rosie Taylor finds out.  Everyday our faces are exposed to lightwaves which can damage and age the skin. But it’s not just the sun causing problems – now some scientists are claiming light from laptops and smartphones can be dangerous too. Electronic devices emit high energy visible (HEV) blue light, which some studies have shown to be as harmful as UVA and UVB rays, penetrating deeply into the skin. One study by cosmetic manufacturer Lipo Chemicals has suggested…

Sunbeds-are they a safe way to tan?

As winter drags on you may be thinking about using a sunbed to get back that summer glow. But is it a good idea? The answer from skin care specialists is an emphatic ‘No!’ While the manufacturers of sunbeds would have you believe sun beds are a ‘safe’ way to tan, various countries including Australia, Brazil, Ireland and a number of states in the USA have already banned their use because of their link to skin cancer. In the UK people under the age of 18 are barred from using them. Sunbeds emit Ultraviolet (UV) light – the wavelengths that cause…

Chemicals in sunscreens – how safe are they?

Sunscreens play a vital role in our anti-aging regime and against skin cancer but some contain chemicals that are raising alarm bells. Daniel Judd investigates. Sunscreens are a hugely important in skin care. The light from the sun contains rays of invisible, high energy ultraviolet light (UV). When it hits your skin, UV causes all sorts of problems including sunburn, wrinkles and skin cancer. These three things are all a result of UV’s ability to damage your DNA. The UV that damages our skin comes in two varieties; UVA and UVB which penetrate the skin to different depths with the UVB more responsible for…