Summer is only a few months away, holidays abroad are booked, the only thing left to do is to work on your pre-holiday tan before packing your suitcase and jetting off to your favourite holiday resort.
Preparing your skin for long hours out in the blazing sun is key to obtaining a deep, longer-lasting tan and reducing the risk sun burn. Sunbeds and UV Tanning are popular methods of pre-holiday tanning that can help you to achieve this.
Sunbeds cause the body to tan in exactly the same way as the sun, by emitting ultraviolet rays which stimulate melanin (a skin pigment) production. Melanin browns as it rises to the skin’s surface and it is this which gives us that golden brown tan.
Sunbeds and Health
Not only does a quick fifteen minute Sunbed session help to elevate our mood and relieve us from stress, it also has some positive effects on our skin.
The Ultraviolet (UV) light that our skin is exposed to during a Sunbed session encourages Vitamin D production – responsible for regulating calcium deposition, and essential for keeping your bones, teeth and joints healthy. In addition to this, limited exposure to UV light can also improve the appearance of some skin conditions, such as Acne and Psoriasis, and the skin’s overall appearance.
The Risks
Unfortunately there are risks that come with Sunbed usage, hindering our goals of having a sun-kissed tan. For instance, your chances of developing skin cancer is greatly increased. Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC), Basal Cell Carinomas (BCCs) and Melanoma are all types of skin cancer that develop through regular Sun and UV exposure.
Recent studies suggest that your risk of skin cancer increases by 90% with repeated tanning. SCC is twice as common as Melanoma, although its highly treatable, it is still a destructive type of skin cancer that – when left untreated – can lead to death.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy can be used to treat Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) which is mainly caused by both long-term sun exposure and occasional intense exposure. Successful treatment of a BCC requires the removal of all defective cells via Cryotherapy.
The other risks include accelleration of aging skin, skin pigmentation, and Sun Spots.
Treatment for Sun Spots and Skin Pigmentation
Sun Spots are spots or patch that appear on the skin’s surface, appearing dark in contrast with its surroundings. Sun Spots can appear anywhere on the body, most commonly in areas that are exposed to the sun, such as the ears, face, chest and hands. While Sun Spots and skin pigmentation are harmless to the body, they can be bruising to your self-image and confidence.
We offer Skin Peels as a method of treating sun damaged skin, the peel will take off several layers of skin, stimulating collagen production and revealing new skin underneath. This new skin will have an improved texture and can help you look more youthful.
Another treatment we offer is Microdermabrasion, which is a deep exfoliating treatment that removes the top layer of skin to even skin tone and clear your complexion. Microdermabrasion is beneficial to those with sun damaged or uneven skin tones, Acne prone skin, and age spots.
For more information about any of the skin conditions or treatments listed above, visit our Treatments page.
