How to protect yourself from the sun, from head to toe ...Middle East

We all know the importance of wearing SPF on our faces – but what about the rest of our bodies – our scalps, shoulders and even our feet? The i Paper asked the experts how to protect against sun damage on every part of our body.

It’s easy to forget that the scalp is vulnerable to getting burnt and irritated – in fact, it’s one of the most common parts of the body for sunburn. A hat is the obvious solution but if you don’t want to wear one it’s worth using SPF. Regular cream will feel heavy and oily so, instead, Wes Sharpton, hairstylist at Hairstory, recommends using a scalp-friendly SPF powder or spray on exposed parts like the hair parting.

When it’s hot, the blend of sweat with natural oils, pollution and product leads to clogged follicles, so you may need to wash hair more often. But over-washing can strip your scalp of essential oils and the scalp can overcompensate by producing excess oil. Or else it fails to recover, resulting in dry, brittle hair. The trick is finding a gentle, detergent-free shampoo that’s safe for daily use. And Sharpton suggests a leave-in conditioner to seal in moisture to prevent ends from getting dry.

Skip heated hair tools in summer

Humidity-induced frizz becomes more likely during summer when temperatures – and moisture levels – are higher. “The greater the water content of the air, the more likely it is that it will enter your hair shaft, dampening strands and causing the hydrogen bonds to be broken,” says trichologist Anabel Kingsley, president at haircare brand Philip Kingsley.

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Both chlorine and saltwater can be “really harsh,” says Sharpton, causing the scalp to flake without proper cleaning. Before swimming, he recommends soaking hair in clean water and applying leave-in conditioner. Afterwards, wash thoroughly while massaging the scalp.

Coloured hair is more prone to UV damage and breakage. Sun exposure can also make hair appear brassier, especially on lightened hair, while chlorine can cause a greenish tint.

Try to avoid heated tools altogether during hotter months. “Our hair will become dry and brittle so using heat tools less is a good idea to reduce breakage,” says Kingsley.

“Sunscreen isn’t just a beach essential, it’s the foundation of skin health, no less vital than brushing teeth,” says Sophie Momen, a consultant dermatologist at the Cadogan Clinic. Sunburn causes DNA damage that can increase the risk of developing skin cancer and also ages the skin – known as photoaging. Ageing of the skin can appear as dryness, pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles.

Although moisturising more during summer can help, the best thing to do is to apply sunscreen and SPF. Momen rotates between La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVmune or Heliocare’s Sensation for everyday use, or the Avene tinted sunscreen on minimal make-up days.

Sophie Momen is a consultant dermatologist at the Cadogan Clinic

For oily and acne-prone skin, an oil-free formula is best, and for mature or drier skin opt for a richer cream-based sunscreen.

“Older skin has reduced DNA repair capacity and a thinner epidermal barrier so it’s more prone to sun-induced pigmentary change and skin cancers,” says Dr Sach Mohan, dermatologist and founder of Revere Clinics. “SPF50 is the gold standard, especially in intense sunlight, or anyone prone to pigmentation.”

Sunscreen should be broad-spectrum, protecting from UVA and UVB rays. Ellise Jacques, a skin cancer and dermatology nurse, says the best way to remember this is that the “a” UVA protects against ageing, and “b” in UVB causes burning.

Most people don’t apply enough. For the face and neck, the experts follow the two-finger rule, where two finger lengths of product is used and reapplied every two to three hours, or after swimming or sweating. If you wear make-up, Jacques says a spray or sunscreen mist can be put over the top.

For best results, apply sunscreen in front of a mirror, 15 to 30 minutes before going outside.

Put your moisturiser in the fridge

Jacques says morning and evening skincare routines should be changed between winter and summer. When it’s colder, a nourishing, rich moisturiser should be used. When the temperatures rise, a gel or water-based one is preferable to avoid pores from clogging. Putting the moisturiser in the fridge can help soothe the skin too.

If skin is burnt, peeling or has been directly exposed to the sun, do not use harsh exfoliants or retinoids.

Her morning routine during the summer months is the CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam cleanser, a lightweight moisturiser in the form of Murad Hydration Nutrient Charged Water Gel, followed by the La Roche Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Oil Control SPF.

Don’t forget to apply sunscreen to ears, eyelids, hands, forearms, which are all very exposed body parts and prone to skin cancer, but easily overlooked. In men, the top of the head is a vulnerable spot for melanoma, along with the lips – women are more likely to apply lipstick or salve containing SPF. In women, legs are the most common body part for melanoma – don’t forget the backs of the knees .

You need twice as much sunscreen as you think on your body

Sun exposure to the body can dry skin out and cause long-term damage. Avoid direct exposure between 11am and 3pm but if it’s unavoidable, Mohan says to follow the “teaspoon rule” for sunscreen: one teaspoon each per limb, torso and back.

According to Dr Derrick Phillips, a London-based consultant dermatologist, sunscreens are tested at a thickness of two milligrams per centimetre squared; much more than most of us use. The average adult needs around 30ml of sunscreen per application but he says people are only applying 30 to 50 per cent of that. Experts warn against relying on ‘once a day’ products – especially if you swim or sweat. Reapply to be on the safe side.

Chucking on a T shirt or shirt is one of the best ways to protect your skin from the sun, but it’s not a silver bullet – light, thin fabrics such as cotton and linen are the least effective for sun protection. Research by the Skin Cancer Foundation in the US showed dark demim has a UPF of about 1,700, while the average white T shirt had a UPF of 7 – dropping further when wet.

Leanne King, a cosmetic chemist and founder of skincare range Beauty Favours, points out that linen can let UV rays through and a cotton T-shirt can let through 20 to 40 per cent of UV. In hot sun, don’t rely on clothing alone – seek shade and reapply SOF throughout the day.

UPF clothing ranges are becoming more widely available, for adults and children – try Solbari and Coolibar. When swimming, a rash guard blocks at least 98 per cent of sun rays.

Don’t have a cold shower – luke warm is better

When it’s super hot, opt for lukewarm temperatures in the shower, which will stabilise body temperature, according to Jacques. “Cold showers can be counterproductive and conserve body heat by causing blood vessels to constrict.”

One of the easiest ways to avoid direct exposure from the sun is to find the shade. If none is available, a parasol is a great option, although they’re not enough alone, especially on the beach, as the UV rays reflect from the water and sand. Preventative measures, like clothing, hats and sunscreen, still need to be taken. Momen recommends UV tents on the beach, especially for children.

Don’t neglect your feet

Sunburnt feet are a common sight in the UK in summer. If you are wearing sandals, apply SPF 50 all over the feet and lower legs, and allow to absorb before putting your shoes on. Tight footwear and thick socks make feet sweat and should be avoided, says Phillips, otherwise you risk athlete’s foot.

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