Sensational Summer Skin

Dr Holmes has followed 15 years in general practice with another 20 years in Cosmetic Medicine, skin health and laser. She is a founding fellow of the Australasian College of Aesthetic Medicine and the Cosmetic Physicians College of Australiasia.

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IS IT IMPORTANT TO LOOK AFTER OUR SKIN?

It sure is! We have a whole lot of skin. In fact, our skin is the biggest body organ. It grows really fast. Your body gets rid of 30,000 to 40,000 old skin cells every day. And skin performs many important functions to keep us healthy.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN IF WE DON'T LOOK AFTER OUR SKIN?

We all know that we can get sunburnt, which is an immediate result of forgetting to look after our skin. We also know that we can get skin cancer. However, don't think these are all problems only when we get old! Melanomas, in particular, can occur even in kids and young adults. They are the most deadly of skin cancers.

SO, IS THAT THE ONLY PROBLEM UV LIGHT FROM THE SUN CAUSES?

Not all all! Many of our common skin problems like acne and rosacea are made worse by the sun. Of course, freckles and other brown spots, lines and wrinkles are all from sun damage.

BUT IF I AM OUTSIDE A LOT, I CAN'T HELP HAVING MY SKIN IN THE SUN?

I think that is a bit of a cop-out. There is always a choice. Better, healthy, glowing skin is a choice. But, of course, it IS harder to protect your skin in an Australian summer! So perhaps in Australia, we just need to change our mindset about summer sun and the bronzed Aussie.

BUT WHAT IF I THINK IT'S TOO LATE FOR ME?

It is never too late to reduce your skin cancer risk and improve the appearance of your skin. Even reducing sun exposure from now on will help your skin in the future.

Dr Kathryn Holmes Cosmetic Doctor and Director of the Mayah Clinic