Heliocare - Bring me Sunshine

By: Lorna Bowes
Created on 23rd June 2011

We all know of the dangers of UVA and UVB rays, the risk to our health of exposing our skin to the sun and the effect of sunshine on how our skin ages. We also understand that sunshine is essential to our general health and wellbeing. Most of us now accept that, whether we are on holiday enjoying the sunshine, or in fact even if it is a dull day, we need to wear Sun Protection Factor (SPF). But do we apply it frequently enough and do we use the right SPF? What are we actually doing - just blocking part or all of the damage caused by UV rays, or also protecting our skin, activating natural defences against UVA and UVB and even slowing the skin ageing process?
Sun damage, sometimes called photodamage, is caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the forms of UVA and UVB. This sun damage is an oxidative process. UV rays can trigger the formation of harmful compounds known as free radicals, however antioxidants can help protect the skin by ‘mopping up' the free radicals before they have a chance to cause mischief. Many plants contain antioxidants, this is largely to protect themselves from harmful UV rays.

UVA, UVB; What's it all about?

Ninety-five per cent of UV radiation is UVA. This UVA penetrates deep into the dermis and causes damage to the structure of the skin, even on dull and cloudy days, whatever the season. UVA reduces the skin's natural defence mechanisms and promotes activity of the enzymes MMPs (metalloproteinases) in the skin that target and break down collagen. Other effects of UVA include the triggering of skin cancer, the production of pigmentation irregularities, and it can also cause skin reactions. UVB is different but also has serious deleterious effects.

UVB only penetrates the outer layers of the skin and struggles to get through on cloudy, dull or wintry days. UVB tans the skin but it can also rapidly cause reddening, burning and damage to the epidermis. Like UVA, UVB also reduces our skin's natural defence mechanisms and can cause skin cancer.

Harnessing the power of nature

In a study that was presented at the European Congress of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV), in Florence in 2004, it was demonstrated that pre treatment with Fernblock® (Polypodium leucotomos plant extract grown in Central America) partially inhibits the effects induced by UV exposure reducing the potential damage. This effect is seen with both topical and oral use of Fernblock®. Fernblock® is now widely available in Heliocare®, a range with oral and topical products specifically designed to provide photoimmunoprotection "from within" and "on the skin" to help protect us from the UV risk that we expose ourselves to every day.

The topical Heliocare® products also contain ‘sun protection factors' (SPF). SPF is a reliable measurement of protection against UVB and is based on a comparison of the minimal erythemal dose (MED) of UVB required to cause skin reddening with and without sunscreen. The SPF number t

herefore indicates the level of protection a sunscreen offers against a dose of UVB radiation, in relation to the level of protection without the sunscreen. The amount of UVB radiation required to induce sunburn is dependent on the skin type: the fairer the skin the quicker it burns. Higher SPF values are not achieved by an increase in the concentration of chemical or physical filters, but with an appropriate combination of different substances. Both physical and chemical filters have a limited capacity to absorb and reflect UV rays. Water immersion, sweating and friction may reduce the amount of sunscreen on the skin, resulting in a lower SPF. Heliocare® sunscreens have been certified as Water Resistant, as they maintain their SPF levels after 40 minutes immersion. However, any topical sunscreen should be reapplied times of high UV exposure.

In combination

It is important to understand that no sunscreen will be 100% effective against UV radiation and that sun damage goes beyond the simple sunburn we see after UV exposure. UV rays are charged with energy which interacts with both the sunscreen and the skin, however a topical preparation will never protect all day long. It is advisable to complement repeated topical applications with additional oral protection. The Heliocare® range has been expertly designed to manage the year-round risk of UV exposure, offering UV protection in advanced formulations suitable for all skin types, especially those who are particularly sensitive or have had a recent dermocosmetic treatment. The topical products have a high cosmetic acceptability to promote daily-use and the Oral Capsules provide additional photoimmunoprotection "from within". Heliocare® is not merelya "summer" sunscreen for the beach, it has been ideally designed to help manage the UV risk all-year-round. The topical high-SPF based products are not only Silk Gels, Creams, Sprays and Gels to give us a great choice but also come as coloured Compact makeup, a dream for reapplying during the day to ensure excellent protection. They combine advanced UV filters with additional photobiological protectants to provide broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection. The full list of available products is Silk Gel SPF30, Cream SPF50, Gel SPF50,

Hydragel SPF50, Gelcream Colour SPF50, Spray SPF50, Compact SPF50, Oil Free Compact SPF50 and Heliocare Ultra and Ultra D Oral Capsules. One oral Capsule a day in the morning will help prevent the signs of photo-ageing. A repeat dose 6 hours later is recommended at times of high UV exposure. Heliocare® Oral Capsules are use of topical sunscreens. For best results it is advised to combine them with Heliocare® broad spectrum UVA/UVB topical sunscreens applied to the skin. The risks from UV exposure need to be managed all year- round. The Heliocare® range has topical and oral protectants suitable for all skin types to provide advanced UV photoimmunoprotection and protect against the key signs of photo damage and skin-ageing.

To serve and protect

There is no point spending a fortune on treatments and creams if you're not shielding your skin from the damage caused by the sun. Now is the time to investigate which ranges will work effectively to safeguard that glowing complexion.

CS&AG