Why I Become Slightly Obsessed With Sunscreen After Your Treatment!

Spoiler alert: It's not because I'm trying to ruin your tan (promise!)

If you've ever had a treatment with me, you've probably heard me bang on about sunscreen approximately 47 times before you've even made it out of the clinic door.

"Don't forget your SPF."

"Wear your SPF tomorrow."

"Have I mentioned your SPF?"

I know. I know!

But there's a reason I sound like a broken record.

Whether you've had microneedling, a chemical peel, laser treatment or another skin rejuvenation treatment, your skin has essentially been sent to the gym. We've created tiny, controlled injuries to encourage your body to produce fresh collagen, repair damage and reveal healthier, glowier skin.

The clever stuff is happening beneath the surface.

Your job? Don't let the sun undo all our hard work.

Your Skin Is Basically Wearing Its Pyjamas

After many aesthetic treatments, your skin barrier is temporarily more vulnerable.

Think of it like this…

Normally your skin is wearing a nice thick winter coat.

After treatment, it's wandering around in its pyjamas.

It's working incredibly hard behind the scenes to repair itself, which means it's far more sensitive to anything the environment throws at it, including UV rays.

Without proper protection, you increase the risk of:

• Longer-lasting redness

• More inflammation

• Slower healing

• Dehydration

• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (those annoying brown marks that can hang around for months)

None of which are on anyone's skincare vision board let’s be honest.

"But It's Cloudy..."

Ah yes. The UK's favourite excuse.

Unfortunately, UV rays didn't get the memo.

Up to 80% of UV radiation can pass through cloud cover, meaning your skin doesn't really care whether it's blazing sunshine or classic British "grey but dry."

Even more annoying?

UVA rays can pass straight through window glass.

So yes...driving to Tesco counts.

Sitting by the office window counts.

Working from your favourite coffee shop counts.

Honestly, the sun is quite persistent (annoyingly).

UVA vs UVB (Without Sending You Back To Science Lessons)

You'll often hear me talk about broad-spectrum sunscreen, and here's why.

UVB Rays

These are the ones responsible for sunburn.

They're strong, they're aggressive, and after treatment they can make redness, inflammation and irritation much worse.

UVA Rays

These are sneakier.

They make up around 95% of the UV that reaches us, penetrate much deeper into the skin and are one of the biggest culprits behind premature ageing.

They're also experts at encouraging unwanted pigmentation and slowing down the healing process.

Which is exactly why you need protection from both.

Wait... Blue Light Too?

Yep. Absolutely.

You've probably heard me talking about blue light from phones and laptops.

Your screens aren’t the only problem - the vast majority of blue light exposure actually comes from the sun.

Research suggests that High Energy Visible (HEV) light can contribute to oxidative stress and pigmentation, particularly in people with medium to darker skin tones (Fitzpatrick III and above).

Does that mean you should panic every time you check Instagram?

Absolutely not.

It simply means choosing a good quality sunscreen that protects against more than just UV rays is another way of giving your healing skin the best possible chance.

Pigmentation: The Uninvited Guest

One of the biggest frustrations after skin treatments is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).

In simple terms…

Your skin becomes inflamed.

The sun gets involved.

Your pigment-producing cells decide to throw a party nobody asked for.

The result?

Those stubborn brown patches that can take weeks—or even months—to fade.

The good news?

Consistent sunscreen use dramatically reduces the risk.

Honestly, if I could prescribe SPF by IV drip after some treatments, I probably would.

(I'm joking, before anyone reports me to the NMC.)

Isn't Any Sunscreen Fine?

NO!!

Sunscreens are NOT created equal.

After treatments, I'm looking for products that provide:

✔️ Broad-spectrum UVA & UVB protection as well as blue light protection

✔️ SPF 30+

✔️ A formula that's gentle enough for compromised skin

✔️ Something you'll actually enjoy wearing

Because let's be honest...

The best sunscreen in the world is completely useless if it's sitting in the bathroom cupboard because it feels like you're spreading wallpaper paste across your face.

Personally, I love recommending products that don't just protect your skin but actively support its recovery too. After treatments, I often recommend sunscreens that contain ingredients to help calm inflammation and support the skin barrier while it's healing. It's like having a bodyguard and a first aider rolled into one.

A Few Sunscreen Rules Worth Remembering

Your sunscreen works hardest when you do.

That means:

• Wear it every single day (yes, even in winter).

• Apply enough (most people don't).

• Reapply if you're outdoors for long periods.

• Wear sunglasses and a hat if you're spending time in the sun.

• Don't rely on the tiny bit of SPF in your foundation, it isn't enough. Nowhere near enough.

Think of makeup SPF as a lovely little bonus, not your main line of defence.

Protect Your Investment

Here's the thing.

You're investing your time, money and trust into your skin.

The treatment itself is only part of the journey.

Everything you do afterwards influences your results.

Daily sunscreen isn't the boring bit.

It's the part that protects your collagen, supports healing, helps prevent pigmentation and keeps your results looking better for longer.

So yes…

I will keep reminding you.

I will probably ask if you've been wearing it at your review appointment.

I’ve been known to respond to client’s holiday photos on their insta stories asking them if they’re wearing a hat and using their sunscreen (stalker vibes? Perhaps!)

And I will absolutely celebrate when you tell me you've become "one of those SPF people."

Because healthy skin is always in fashion.

Ready to Start Your Skin Journey?

If you're not sure which treatment is right for you, or which sunscreen is best for your skin, I'd love to help.

Every treatment I offer comes with personalised aftercare because getting amazing results isn't just about what happens in the clinic. It’s about looking after your skin afterwards too.

If you're ready to invest in healthier, happier skin (and don't mind me reminding you about your SPF every now and then!), book a consultation with me at Amaya Medical Aesthetics.

Together, we'll create a treatment plan that's tailored to you, your skin and your goals.

Because everyone deserves to look in the mirror and think...

"There she is."

To book a consultation click here:

And if you would like to see the only sun protection I recommend, click below:

And, as always, any questions feel free to WhatsApp me 🩶🩶