Facts about sun damage:

Sun damage = AGEING.

The truth is that no amount of creams will counteract the harmful effects of the sun once the damage is done.

Sunbeds 'can damage body's defences against cancer'

The danger of sunbeds was underlined today by a leading skin specialist who warned that recent studies showed that they could trigger changes to the immune system, lowering the bodies defences against skin cancer. Professor Antony Young, head of environmental dermatology at St Thomas' Hospital in London, said: "With intensive sunbathing, whether on a beach or under a sunbed, you damage your immune system." A recent study by researchers at John Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore showed 10 sessions on a sunbed over a two-week period suppressed the client's immune function, meaning the body would not send out protective proteins to reject tumours that were forming.

* from the Evening Standard (17 July 2000)

Ageing:
80% of the visible signs of ageing are the results of 'sun damage' and not simply the passing of time. To make matters worse, there is a time lapse of up to 15 years before the ageing effects become apparent. This premature ageing manifests itself in a variety of ways. Thinning skin, a breakdown of collagen, a loss of elasticity, deep lines, leathery texture, dark blotches, solar freckles and broken blood vessels are just the beginning. Skin cancer is on the increase all over the world. Even in Britain we have nearly 4,000 new cases each year. To protect your face, we recommend using a daily sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 6, every day. This should be increased to SPF 20, for holidays in the sun and long periods of exposure.

Protection:
The best way to protect yourself from the sun is really to stay out of it altogether, but we know, that is impossible and improbable. One would be hard pressed to find anyone who could resist the sunlight after a dull, grey winter. But sunscreens are not enough, "Although the sun's rays are partly absorbed by the ozone layer - which is becoming gradually thinner - a considerable number do get through and can penetrate even sunblock-protected skin".

Carotenoids:
Research has proved that daily supplements of carotenoids protect against UV damage. The recommended daily dose of mixed carotenoids is 50mg for 6 weeks before exposure, or 25mg for 12 weeks. So plan ahead: don't just rely on sun screens to do the job - by supplementing with carotenoids you can help your skin to resist summer sun radiation damage.

The Sher System skin protection menu

Take...

Supplements: Vitamin E, Beta-carotene and mixed carotenoids (lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, alpha-carotene, cryptoxanthin)

Use...

A Sher System Sunscreen: Sun Shield Emulsion - for normal/dry skin FACTOR 20 Sun Shield Lotion/Gel - for oily/sensitive skin (oil free) FACTOR 20

Both products protect against UVA and UVB rays forming a water-resistant barrier. Apply liberally one hour prior to sun exposure, re-apply after prolonged swimming or vigorous exercise.