Emer O'Callaghan: 'I see sun damage everyday...make sure you apply SPF all year round'

Skin cancer is the most common form of the disease diagnosed in this country - and SPF can be a life-saver.

But I’ve been saying for years that it’s wrong that it is classified as a cosmetic product rather than a medical one, and is thus liable to VAT.

This really needs to be looked at, because making SPF more affordable is important.

I have suggested that we should have a return-your-bottle scheme for SPF, just like we do with our plastic bottles now, and get a reduction on your next SPF purchase.

But sure, who listens to good ideas when it’s easier to tax to the hilt?

This week, as summer is getting nearer, I want to give my expert tips on what everyone of every age needs to know about SPF.

I did one of my popular beauty videos on this last week, and you can watch it now on our Emerald Beauty Clinic Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok pages.

SPF 50 IS KEY

Did you know that, in terms of beauty, Australia is a front-runner, and is in fact five years ahead of Europe on the SPF front?

They have long been telling consumers that SPF 50 is the only way to go, and as a beauty doctor and skin specialist, I’d like to see factors 15 and 20 totally gone now.

When I ask people why they do not want a factor 50, they all say the same thing, people of all ages: “Oh, but I won’t get a tan.”

However, you will still tan with factor 50 - and, personally, if they did a factor 100, I’d be wearing that.

I see the harmful effects of sun damage on people’s skin every day in my clinic, so make sure you only apply SPF 50, every day, all year round.

UVA/UVB AND BROAD SPECTRUM

These three - UVA, UVB, and the words Broad Spectrum - are vital to see on any SPF you buy.

All of the professional grade Dermalogica and Guinot SPF stocked in my clinic have these potentially life-saving key words on them. Otherwise, it is not sufficient protection, in my eyes.

DANGERS OF ONLINE PRODUCTS

Far too many people are buying knock-off copies of the biggest skin care brands in the world on dodgy websites, with no clue of what they are buying.

We have found some very dangerous ingredients in these copies, which end up in your bloodstream.

This is why I always say only buy your skincare from safe stockists and local beauticians who have traceability of where the stock is from.

Far too many just want cheap, and it will be their health that may pay the price down the line.

TEXTURE AND SKIN TYPE

Make sure you use the right SPF for your skin type.

There are two types of SPF - physical and chemical - and the issue is the texture might be the wrong type for your skin.

For example, I would never prescribe a client with oily skin an SPF that has essential oils that will make them look more oily or shiny, while a client with very dry skin would suit this perfectly.

There is quite literally an SPF now for every type of skin, and this is why the smart client comes to us professionals to learn about their skin and get the correct one.

REAPPLY EVERY TWO HOURS

The sun damage we see on our skin in our 40s, we got in our 20s, and what you see in your 60s, you got in your 40s, and so on.

Every decade, our skin changes and shows the effects of previous sun damage.

This is why I am so passionate about educating young people about how vital SPF is - and how important it is you use the correct one.

It is crucial too that you reapply your SPF every two hours when outside in the sun, and at lunchtime in summer months.

Just applying it each morning is not enough, the skin has absorbed that first application within 2-3 hours and you then went the majority of your day unprotected.

This is why we have so much pigmentation damage and aged skin.

SUN IS SO AGEING

I have yet to meet a sun-lover who looks their age. I know so many girls my own age who look 10-15 years older because of the sun holidays and poor skin protection.

They love sitting out sunbathing any sunny day we get here, and they will often say how they hate fake tan so they need to keep their real tan up.

We now know scientifically that the sun is the No.1 biggest factor in premature ageing of skin today.

Do you ever wonder why many Chinese people walk around on sunny days with umbrellas up? They do so to shield themselves from the UV rays which are so harmful to our skin and our health.

There is no real way of reversing decades of sun abuse, sadly.

My nephew recently was asking me about SPF, and I said I hope your generation will look back at us and wonder why so many sunbathed.

I think more clothes will start having UV protection in them too, and I cannot for the life of me understand how any bald person goes around with no hat on in summer.

Our ears, lips, and back of the hands are often areas so many forget to apply SPF to daily. This is why I say we all need to be skin aware and sun savvy now

365 DAYS A YEAR

The World Skin Association told us five years ago that we all need to be wearing SPF daily, all year round.

Some people think if their make-up says it has SPF in it, they are grand, The amount of it may not be enough. You need to have an SPF day cream on under that make-up.

Also, ensure your SPF is in date. Some people will use the one they bought last year, but once opened, these need to be used in 3-6 months. It won’t shield you from UV rays.

ASK THE PROFESSIONALS

A qualified beautician will help you find the correct SPF for you to get you the best protection and skin results this summer.

Nobody should come home from a holiday with sun damage, freckles, and pigmentation.

One of the biggest things I have learned since I launched my six-week skin kickstart programme in my clinic is that people are really in need of being educated more on their skin, people of all ages still do not know why we all need to be cleaning, hydrating, and protecting our skin every morning and evening

Far too many give their skin a cat’s lick of cleanser and some face cream every day and think that’s enough for their skin.

However, research shows 7/10 people are walking around daily with dirty skin - and I see it every day in my job.

We, the experts, need to get the education out more on how everyone should clean and care for their beautiful skin daily, because at the end of the day, God gave us all only one beautiful face and it’s the face we turn out to the world every day.

Emer O’Callaghan is a multi award winning beauty doctor and skin specialist who won Irish Beauty Therapist of the year and works at Emerald Organic Beauty Products Ltd, trading as Emerald Beauty Clinic, 021 4365949.

A Gold Standard Guinot Crown and Dermalogica centre of Excellence Clinic. - www.emeraldbeautyclinic.ie - follow us on Facebook/Instagram/TikTok.

You can start our Six-Week Skin Kickstart at any stage.

To book, call Emerald Beauty Clinic on 021 4365949. Free parking for customers.