Heliocare

Whilst sunlight is essential for life, over-exposure is the greatest challenge facing our skin.

Sun or photo-damage is caused by ultraviolet radiation (UV) in the forms of UVA and UVB.

UVA makes up 95% of UV; it penetrates deep into the dermis and damages skin, even on cloudy days and in winter. UVA accelerates ageing of the skin by triggering free radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS) that damage collagen, elastin and the underlying skin architecture. Furthermore it can cause pigmentation problems, skin reactions and most seriously it reduces the skins natural defence mechanisms and can cause skin cancer.

UVB only penetrates the upper epidermal layer of the skin and is more prevalent on sunny days and during the summer. It tans the skin but can rapidly cause reddening, burning and epidermal damage and most seriously UVB also reduces the skins natural defence mechanisms and can cause skin cancer.