MINI SERIES: HORMONES - THE EFFECTS ON SKIN AT EACH STAGE OF LIFE #3

TWENTIES/THIRTIES - HORMONES & PREGNANCY

Did you know that from 26'ish women will see a different type of hormonal acne - deep, cystic bumps in the chin and jawline area and products won't work as well on these hormonal breakouts. Other female-only hormonal changes include pregnancy, the contraceptive pill and PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome).

Many women experience acne or skin breakouts Just before 'that time of the month' as when hormonal levels fluctuate this in turn, stimulates the sebaceous glands. The contraceptive pill. that contains artificial hormones oestrogen and progesterone, may cause photo-sensitivity

In some women and result in pigmentation. The onset of pregnancy, is another trigger for hormonal changes that may lead to pigmentation and sometimes acne. Managing skin concerns, whilst pregnant can be very difficult as some treatments/remedies may have to be avoided.

Wrinkles and pigmentation usually start to appear as a result of damage done to skin in teens. The skin will start to appear dull as already skin cell turnover will be slowing down. Now is the time to start investing in active products and treatments to ensure firmer, younger looking skin. Having regular vitamin A based treatments and gradually increasing the dosage can help encourage healthy cell production. Using vitamin A and C orally can also enhance collagen synthesis.

Tips;

Use a mild oil based cleanser and avoid scrubs.

Start to introduce vitamin C orally and topically for strong healthy collagen formation.

Get your skin analysed and follow with a tailored skincare programme.

Introduce vitamin A orally and topically to help keep skin looking healthy (skin care expert to advise during pregnancy).

Protect the skin from the sun at all times and use an antioxidant based sunscreen.

Next in the series: Forties - The Perimenopause

Source: IIA Bulletin March 2018

Mini Series - Vitamin A Myths #2

MYTH
Vitamin A causes photo sensitivity
The retinol and retinoic acid forms of vitamin A do make the skin photosensitive, but the retinyl palmitate form has extremely valuable photo-protective properties. 
Research by the dermatology department at University Hospital Geneva showed that at high levels, topical retinyl palmitate was as efficient as an SPF20 sunscreen in preventing sunburn. However, UV light breaks it down, so also taking it as a supplement is recommended to support topical application.

Sun Damaged Skin

“Retinol is an alcohol and is more irritating to the skin and photosensitises it”, says Dr Fernandes. “retinyl palmitate, on the other hand, absorbs the energy of UVB and UVA just like a sunscreen does and that is why it disappears in sun-exposed skin and the skin becomes depleted.” 
"It is fundamentally the most important molecule in addressing sun damage and anti-ageing. There is nothing else like it.” 
Environ^® Founder Dr Des Fernandes

Adapted from a post in the September 2017 IIAA Bulletin

Institute For Anti Ageing article on the SPF Debate

Sun Damage or Sun Cream Damage?

See the Institute for Anti Ageing's report on the dangers of using sunscreen

 https://www.iiaa.eu/the-dark-side-of-the-sun

Visit our website for details of the amazing range of Environ products and treatments available in Burton on Trent

 

The Best Sunscreen is Not The One With The Highest SPF Factor

SPF – Sun Protection Factor

We all know that sunscreens are caterogised by their SPF rating but you probably have no idea what it actually means??  Or What it tells you about the sunscreen?  Let’s clarify this…

“It is important to remember that the SPF rating largely refers to UVB protection, as the index is based on reddening or sunburn, and is therefore an incomplete and possibly misleading index in terms of cancer prevention in skin.”
Vitamin A Skin Science, Dr Des Fernandes & Dr Ernst Eiselen.

Just remember UVB is for burning and UVA is for ageing… UVB rays are also responsible for the formation of skin cancers and that the effects of even just one sunburn will last a lifetime.

What SPF is best?

We’re taught the higher the SPF the better the sunscreen and the greater protection it will provide our skin…  This often misleads consumers into thinking that they can spend more time being exposed to the sun. But in actual fact, higher SPFs could actually be causing more long term damage to our skin.  Think about it, to make a sunscreen with a higher SPF lets say a 50+, it physically has to contain more chemicals.

“Scientists do not recommend anything stronger than SPF 15 -20 because there is minimal advantage from the higher SPFs, but significantly greater doses of sunscreen chemcials.”
Vitamin A Skin Science, Dr Des Fernandes & Dr Ernst Eiselen.

These chemicals or organic sunscreen agents, are then converted into free radicals once exposed to UV rays, which effectively ‘rusts’ our DNA – changing the structure of our cells and leading to skin ageing and skin cancer.

“A frightening statistic is that skin cancer has risen since high SPF products were introduced. We are not sure why. Do people perhaps stay longer in the sun and incur more damage, or are the protective molecules damaging our skin by generating free radicals?”
Vitamin A skin Science, Dr Des Fernandes & Dr Ernst Eiselen.

The general perception would be, that the level of protection offered between a lower and higher SPF is a large percentage. In actual fact the percentage is very low at about a 5% difference between an SPF 15 and SPF 50. This is really surprising and can be very misleading.

What should you look for in a sunscreen?

For your sunscreen to provide real protection from damaging ultraviolet light it should contain three essential elements… Adequate UVA cover, adequate UVB cover and sufficient antioxidant cover.
But why antioxidants?

“Antioxidants are free radical scavengers that help minimise the damage of UV rays that penetrate the sunscreen and filters” 
Vitamin A Skin Science, Dr Des Fernandes & Dr Ernst Eiselen

Antioxidants help to protect our DNA to ensure its integrity.  Using antioxidants in conjunction with sunscreens is a fairly new idea but Dr Des Fernandes has been incorporating them into his sunscreens since 1990.  This way the sunscreen offers a wide range of protection to the skin.  Not only physically protecting it but also repairing any damage that occurs due to UV exposure or the sunscreen ingredients.  His studies are proving that the inclusion of the antioxidants are providing real protection to our DNA against the damage caused by the UV rays.
(If you aren’t able to find a sunscreen that also contains potent antioxidants you can always use a seperate product)
Look for ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide that act as reflectors. Reflectors are agents that reflect or block most UV rays, rather than absorbing the UV rays.  Titanium is a great, safe and very effective alternative for people who suffer reactions from other UV filters (chemicals).  Zinc oxide is another great UV reflector and is beneficial in reducing acne and enhancing collagen formation.

What sunscreen should I buy?

Since the introduction of SPF50+ sunscreens, it can be very difficult to find a sunscreen that is only an SPF 15 or 20. It’s definitely not impossible but you just have to do your research. We are lucky that Environ manufacture RAD SPF15 with its unique formulation that includes antioxidants - it truly is a fantastic product, which we use regularly and can honestly say that it is the best sun cream that we have ever used.

Remember, Dr Des Fernandes recomends using a sunscreen containing both UVA and UVB elements and potent antioxidants.  Use a lower SPF and apply it in an adequate dose to ensure you’re protected… The recommended dosage is 2mg per centimeters squared.  No sunscreen is going to offer complete protection, so be sensible.  Limit your time spent exposed to the sun, cover up your skin, wear a hat and reapply your sunscreen!!!

Daily sunsreen and antioxidant protection can prevent photo ageing (premature ageing) and skin cancers!

UPDATE: Environ RAD Spray SPF 25

For reasons beyond our control, Environ Rad Spray SPF25 is currently unavailable in our Sun Care range. Apologies to our customers who are waiting for this to arrive - We will post an update when we have further news. Plenty of SPF15 in stock, which offers excellent protection from damaging UV rays.

More info at http://www.skyebluebeauty.com/Environ-Stockist.htm