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Protecting your assets from over exposure

Summer is on our doorstep and it's time to finally get ready for months of sun, fun and optimum skin health. Male grooming expert Carmelo Guastella gives the following advice to help you protect your skin as the sun starts to shine:

• Aside from being the largest organ of the body, the skin is also an excellent record keeper. Every moment which we spend in the sun adds up like money in the bank; the problem is the payoff - skin damage in the form of wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, premature ageing as well as a repressed immune system and the potential for skin cancer.
• The best defense is to limit exposure to the sun and protect the skin with sunscreen at all times. All sunblocks guard against UVB rays to stop your skin from burning and most also block UVA2 rays. Look for products which contain Avobenzone (Parsol 1789) to ensure your skin has the best protection against damaging sunlight
• Men are particularly vulnerable to sun damage after shaving. Two to three layers of skin are shed whilst shaving, leaving skin more sensitive to the sun so I would advise shaving in the evening during the summer months
• Don't use a scrub less than six hours prior to sun exposure
• Never use an alcohol-based aftershave prior to sun exposure as this will lead to hyper pigmentation spots appearing on your skin. Many companies now produce summer alternatives to their regular fragrances which do not contain alcohol
• If you suffer from a reaction to a sunscreen, look for a brand which contains a physical sunscreen (such as titanium dioxide) rather than a chemical sunscreen

Most people feel better with a tan, but it is important not to forget the long-term effects - nobody wants to age before their time. Simply by protecting your skin daily and changing your routine so that your skin is not exposed when at its most sensitive, you can have a fun summer and still look after your assets!

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