Was I damaging my skin even though not burning?

[blossom]

I'm popping over from nails to ask this as I've talked about it to several people and don't know the answer so am asking the pros if you don't mind.

I have an oily olive toned skin which goes midgolden brown then goes no browner. Last year we holidayed down by the Med for 2 weeks, I already had a tan when we went (due to our own nice weather here in UK) and was hardly any different when I returned, think I reached my max brown-ness.

So my question is, was I still damaging my skin? I didn't burn at all despite temps of 35+ and I must confess I didn't use any suncream as I wasn't burning. But was I still doing damage? I will heed your advice for this year!

 

[babychops]

I think if you don't use sun screen then yes you are damaging your skin x

 

[skingeek78]

I'm popping over from nails to ask this as I've talked about it to several people and don't know the answer so am asking the pros if you don't mind.

I have an oily olive toned skin which goes midgolden brown then goes no browner. Last year we holidayed down by the Med for 2 weeks, I already had a tan when we went (due to our own nice weather here in UK) and was hardly any different when I returned, think I reached my max brown-ness.

So my question is, was I still damaging my skin? I didn't burn at all despite temps of 35+ and I must confess I didn't use any suncream as I wasn't burning. But was I still doing damage? I will heed your advice for this year!

Yes any tan is a damage within the skin, the reaction to protect. I would use an SPF even though you don't burn easily, I think the benefits of the sun when not abused outweigh risks, I am not one who will tell you to whack on a high factor and not enjoy the sun at all.
I choose a mineral SPF 15/20 although I don't burn to protect and strengthen. Helans is a good brand x

 

[squidgernetball]

Your skin changes colour to protect itself, so yes you are damaging your skin. UVB rays from the sun are the burning rays whether they burn or not. You should wear a good quality spf of around 15. This is perfectly adequate. Much more than this and you start to have products in the spf that are free radicals and you are using an spf to protect you from the free radical that is the sun. If you have a broad spectrum spf, so covering UVA as well, you will protect yourself from the ageing rays that are in nearly all white light around us. These rays can take many years to become evident so the sooner you use both regularly, all year round, the better.

Vicki x