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I don’t normally use any sort of SPF as my normal skin routine (mainly because I always forget!) Naturally, I’ve heard talk about the damage the sun can cause, and the harmful effect that UV rays have on skin, but I’ve always thought to myself ‘ it’s not even sunny, it won’t be damaging my skin today!’, and dismissed the advice.

So when Dr McKeating suggested that he perform a 3D skin assessment on my face today I thought  ‘My skin’s fine, he won’t find anything – bring it on!’.

How wrong could I be?!

The first image is a natural picture of my skin, and how you would see me if we met. Other than freckles and the odd pesky spot here and there, my skin does quite well!

The next set of images I really wasn’t prepared for! The 3D camera picked up and highlighted brown spots all over my skin, ones which are completely invisible to the naked eye. Dr McKeating informed me that these brown spots are actually areas of damage which has already been caused by the sun! He then showed me a second image, but this time we were looking at the veins and capillaries just beneath the skin. At present, these can’t be seen to the naked eye either, but I’ve been told that continued unprotected sun exposure may lead to these veins and capillaries becoming more visible and more widespread! Yikes!

The initial image used for the skin report!

The initial image used for the skin report!

Brown spots and sun damage

Brown spots and sun damage

Red areas of damage

Red areas of damage

I know I really need to start taking good care of it rather than taking it for granted. Right now I’m only 23 – imagine what my skin would look like at 50 or 60 if I continued to ignore the advice?!

So in the spirit of skincare I have now purchased a Heliocare SPF 50 from the clinic and will be certain to apply it first thing in the morning, every morning (even on those  cloudy, overcast days!) No longer shall those UV rays penetrate the clouds and damage and age my precious skin. I really am glad I took Dr McKeating up on his imaging challenge today, and would recommend the free 3D skin report to everyone! And if you’re looking for a fab and easy SPF – I chose Heliocare because I love the scent, it wasn’t very expensive and it doesn’t leave my skin feeling greasy or looking shiny. This means I can easily apply foundation over the top of the gel if I want to, or just leave my skin bare without worrying about shine!

Helen @ RejuvaMed