Hello sunshine, goodbye eye wrinkles!

Sunshine in Scotland is never guaranteed, so when it does make an appearance, us Scots like to make the most of it! Life is better when the sun is shining – and there’s science to back that up. Sunlight helps the body produce vitamin D, which is essential for our bone health and immunity. It also regulates our sleep-wake cycles and improves our mental wellbeing. But there is of course, one major drawback of soaking up those sunrays, as the aesthetic experts at YourGP explain…

Here comes the sun

Sunlight can greatly accelerate the skin ageing process. In fact, studies indicate that up to 90% of the visible signs of ageing, such as lines and wrinkles, are caused by sun damage. That’s because the sun’s ultraviolet radiation, such as the UVA and UVB rays, damages your skin cell DNA. It breaks down collagen and elastin – the proteins responsible for giving your skin structure, firmness and elasticity – and over time this leads to loss of facial volume, sagging of the skin, and the formation of lines and wrinkles.

Common complaints

One of the areas most commonly affected by sun damage is around the eyes. Our natural reaction to bright light is to squint, but repeatedly moving and holding our facial muscles in this way can lead to the formation of crow’s feet, fine lines and wrinkles.

Protect yourself this summer

A good sunscreen with a high SPF is an effective way to minimise the formation of wrinkles around the eye area. By blocking the sun’s rays, sunscreen can help to maintain the skin’s elasticity and firmness, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. And remember, you should be wearing sunscreen every day, not just in summer, even in Scotland.

Sunglasses are another great way to help prevent wrinkles forming around the delicate eye area. Sunglasses with 100% UVA/B (UV 400) protection block harmful ultraviolet radiation and reduce the need to squint and strain the eyes. Polarized lenses are a good choice as they reduce glare, and larger frames and wraparound styles will further enhance that protection.

Need a little extra help this summer?

Here at YourGP, our medically-trained aesthetic experts have years of experience in helping patients reverse signs of sun damage and skin ageing. One of the most effective treatments for tackling this specific issue is our anti-wrinkle injection treatment, which works by relaxing the muscles around the eye area, reducing wrinkling of the skin. These can be particularly effective in tackling crow’s feet on the outer edge of the eyes caused by squinting.

Book your free consultation

If you’re interested in finding out more about the range of aesthetic anti-ageing treatments we offer at YourGP and which ones might be right for you, book a free consultation. Here we can discuss your specific skin concerns and goals, and make treatment recommendations accordingly.

To book your consultation, use our simple online booking system, email reception@your.gp, or call us on 0131 381 0322 and we’ll be happy to arrange a free, no-commitment consultation at a time that suits you.