Seven years apart, the same incredible watersports holiday in Kefalonia, and two very different pictures of my skin.
I love an active holiday and I’ve never been one to sit on the sidelines. Whether it’s watersports, swimming or simply spending long days outdoors, I want to enjoy everything a holiday has to offer, even if I’m not always the most talented participant!
But spending so much time outside, particularly in the Mediterranean sun, has also taught me an enormous amount about pigmentation, sun damage and the importance of protecting our skin consistently.
The two photographs accompanying this blog were taken after the same holiday, seven years apart.
In the earlier photograph, you can see the pigmentation and sun damage that would often become much more noticeable after a sunny holiday. In the more recent photograph, my skin tells a very different story.
It hasn’t happened because of one miracle product or treatment. It’s the result of seven years of learning how to protect my skin properly, treating existing pigmentation and, most importantly, being consistent.
Pigmentation can be incredibly stubborn.
Exposure to UV radiation stimulates melanin production, which is why existing areas of pigmentation can become darker and more noticeable following time in the sun. It also means that without ongoing protection, we can undo some of the progress we have made through skincare and professional treatments.
For me, the answer was never going to be avoiding sunshine or giving up the outdoor holidays I love.
Instead, I needed to become much better at protecting my skin while I enjoyed them.
One of the biggest changes has been taking sun protection much more seriously while I’m away.
I wear a hat whenever possible, even when it isn’t necessarily the most stylish option while taking part in watersports!
More importantly, I apply a high-protection SPF consistently and reapply it throughout the day. CellDerma Mineral SPF has become a particular favourite of mine.
This is something I cannot emphasise enough. Applying SPF in the morning is a fantastic start, but when you’re spending hours outside, swimming, exercising or sweating, reapplication matters.
Sun protection is not simply something I think about on holiday either. It is part of my everyday skincare routine throughout the year.
Preventing further sun damage is only one part of the picture. I have also taken a long-term approach to improving the pigmentation and overall health of my skin.
My professional treatments have included a course of IllumiFacials and microneedling with exosomes with Michelle at The Private Facial Clinic.
Alongside this, I have been consistent with my home skincare, including:
It is this combination of professional treatment, evidence-based skincare and daily sun protection that has made the greatest difference to my skin over time.
When patients visit me concerned about pigmentation, it can be tempting to search for the treatment that will simply make it disappear.
Unfortunately, pigmentation rarely works like that.
There is no single treatment or product that can compensate for repeated, unprotected sun exposure. Equally, treating existing pigmentation without addressing how we protect the skin afterwards can make maintaining those results much more difficult.
The best approach is usually a combination of appropriate professional treatments, carefully selected skincare and diligent sun protection — tailored to the individual and their skin.
And it requires patience.
Skin health is a long-term commitment rather than a quick fix.
Something else I’ve become increasingly conscious of is that looking after ourselves goes far beyond the products we apply to our skin.
A huge thank you has to go to Nel Coggins for the wonderful evening yoga sessions during our holidays.
Taking time to move our bodies, reduce stress, switch off and support our overall wellbeing is valuable in its own right. Looking and feeling well is rarely about one treatment, product or habit; it is the accumulation of the things we do consistently to look after ourselves.
There is something particularly lovely about finishing an active day in Kefalonia with an evening yoga session — although my balance may still need as much work as my watersports technique!
If there is one thing the seven-year difference between these photographs has reinforced for me, it is this:
I would much rather wear the sun hat, apply the SPF and reapply it than spend months afterwards trying to reverse the effects of sun damage.
That doesn’t mean hiding from the sunshine.
I still go to Kefalonia. I still get involved in the watersports. I still spend time outside and enjoy my holidays.
I simply understand my skin better now and make protecting it part of enjoying those experiences.
Healthy skin isn’t about perfection. It’s about consistency.
If you’ve noticed pigmentation becoming darker after a sunny holiday, or you’re unsure how best to protect and improve your skin, a consultation is an opportunity for us to assess your skin, discuss your concerns and create an individual treatment and skincare plan.
Dr Clare Taylor
Consultant Anaesthetist & Aesthetic Doctor
Get in touch today to arrange your no obligation consultation,
book here or send a text message to 07734 694 361.
