We may be in Autumn but in Cape Town it feels as if summer is far from over and plenty more beach days still lie ahead of us. However one shouldn’t only think of SPF when donning a bikini. Applying a good quality SPF should be a part of your routine come sun or rain.
Last week I attended an insightful Avène launch where dermatologist Dr Willie Visser gave us some cold hard facts about sun damage. I have fortunately always been very diligent about sun protection but no one is perfect and it is quite scary to realise just how much exposure we face daily in South Africa.
Dr Visser said that most sun damage occurs due to incidental sun exposure such as walking to your car in the mornings before work etc which amounts to on average 11 hours a week where we are not conscious of the effects of UV rays on our skin. Which is exactly why we need to apply an SPF each and every single day.
He also said that tanning is out, even a slight tan is sun damage and absolutely stay away from sun-beds. Sun-beds release pure UV A rays which means zero Vit D and pure burning. Basically pure melanoma. He went as far as to compare sun-beds to coffins and said they should 100% be banned in SA. We already get enough sun. Rather embrace your natural skin tone or use a self-tan.
As far as sun protection is concerned:
-Wear sunglasses, as most people don’t apply sunscreen to their eyelids
– Wear a wide brimmed hat not a cap. This is a mistake I’ve made in the past and the reason that the only place that I have sun damage is on my ears!
– Always choose a sunscreen that is over SPF 30 for South Africans
Which is why I’m a fan of Avène SPF50+ Sunscreen Emulsion 50ml. It is made with thermal spring water which is renowned for its soothing and anti-irritation properties. It brings you maximum skin protection from sun damage and is suitable for use on sensitive skins. Antioxidant enriched and no fragrance. The Emulsion formula is ideal for normal to combination skin types.
Avène SPF50+ Sunscreen Cream 50ml is available at Clicks and Dischem stores nationwide and retails at R229.99 for 50ml.
