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Claris Group Stress The Importance of Sun Safety in Autumn

Tuesday 8 May 2018, 12:54PM

By Beckie Wright

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Many of us could be guilty of slackening up on our sun safety routines now that summer is well and truly over, but in reality, the New Zealand sun can be harsh at any time of year, even in autumn and winter. If you happen to live in an alpine region of New Zealand or you enjoy taking skiing and snowboarding trips south during the colder months, you will be exposed to UV levels higher than at sea level.

Snow is highly reflective, and if you don’t protect your face you can get badly burned. Ditto for under your wrists and lower arms. Taking care of your skincare regimen is just part of the solution; you should also remember to use sunscreen. Even mild sunburn during the increasingly chilly months of autumn can lead to the development of melanoma. The more often you get burnt during autumn and winter, the higher that risk will be.

Autumn’s cold winds can adversely impact your skin, making it dry and cracked, so, as a remedy, ensure that you use rich moisturising day creams instead of lotions. Also avoid using abrasive exfoliators that will dry out your skin when used frequently. Instead, look for creamy day moisturisers with maximum SPF contained in them. That way you will be able to moisturise and protect your skin at the same time.

Also, don’t forget your hands and neck when applying SPF moisturiser. These areas are equally as exposed to the sun as your face, yet are often neglected in the daily beauty routine.  If you plan a day in the mountains hiking or skiing, then take a small bottle of sunscreen with you and apply it to your face, neck and hands every four hours, particularly over the bridge of the nose, to avoid blistering and burns.

Use sunglasses with UV protection – your eyes need protection from the sun too.

Apply a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher every day. For extended outdoor activity, use a water resistant sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher.

Claris Group offers a comprehensive skin check and detailed mole analysis, an essential part of wellness often neglected by us. If you have any concerns regarding changes to moles and spots then you should visit the Claris Group’s skin cancer clinic today, and for more information on skin cancer clinics, skin specialists and skin doctors please go to http://claris.co.nz .