Summer is a time for sunshine, but with all that extra time outdoors comes an increased need to protect your skin. Sun exposure may feel good in the moment, but it can cause long-term damage if you’re not careful. Repeated sun exposure without protection speeds up skin aging and significantly increases your risk of developing skin cancer, including melanoma—the deadliest form. According to dermatologists, consistent use of sunscreen is one of the most effective ways to reduce your lifetime risk. Even when you’re not sunbathing, activities like walking the dog, driving, or sitting by a window expose your skin to UV rays. So make sun protection a daily habit.  Protecting your skin with the right sunscreen helps: Understanding the types of UV radiation and how to choose the right sunscreen is the first step toward keeping your skin healthy and glowing. UVA and UVB rays: what’s the difference? The sun emits two types of ultraviolet (UV) rays that affect the skin: Both UVA and UVB rays can damage your skin’s DNA, leading to aging, sunburn, and increased cancer risk. That’s why consistent sun protection is essential—even on cloudy days or when you’re indoors near windows. Choosing the right sunscreen Here’s what to look for when selecting a sunscreen this summer: 1. Broad-Spectrum Protection – choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen to ensure protection from both UVA and UVB rays. If it’s not labelled broad-spectrum, it’s not offering complete defence. 2. SPF 30 or Higher – SPF (Sun Protection Factor) refers to protection against UVB rays. An SPF of 30 blocks about 97% of UVB radiation. While higher SPFs offer marginally more protection, SPF 30 or above is the minimum recommended, especially during extended sun exposure. 3. Physical (Mineral) Sunscreens – physical sunscreens – also known as mineral sunscreens—use natural active ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These work by reflecting UV rays off the skin rather than absorbing them like chemical sunscreens. Mineral sunscreens are: great for sensitive or acne-prone skin, effective immediately upon application, less likely to cause irritation or allergic reactions How to apply for maximum protection Final thoughts Enjoy the summer sun, but do it safely. With the right sunscreen—broad-spectrum, SPF 30 or higher, and preferably mineral-based—you can protect your skin from the harmful effects of UVA and UVB rays. Prevention today means healthier, more youthful skin tomorrow. Dermalogica sunscreen recommendation.Dynamic Skin Recovery Spf50 Moisturiser – hydrating, firming age defense – skin type, Hydrates, Reduces signs of skin ageing, Evens skin tone and dark spots.Biolumin-c heat aging protector spf50 – turn down heat ageing, turn up radiance, great for all skin types. Clearing Defense spf30 – Shine-reducing SPF moisturiser helps protect breakout-prone skin from environmental stress. Ideal for Oily/acne prone skin.Powerbright Moisturizer SPF 50 – dark spot defence, ideal for skin with hyperpigmentation.Prisma Protect Spf30 Moisturiser – light-activated skin defense. Ideal for Oily/acne prone skin. Invisible Physical Defense Mineral Sunscreen Spf30 – weightless physical sunscreen. Ideal for all skin types. All Dermalogica SPF are available at Saiqs. If you would like help in finding the right SPF then book a skin consultation with Saiqa via our booking link

During Ramadan, it’s important to maintain a skincare routine that focuses on hydration, calming, and using gentle products. Here are some tips to keep your skin healthy and glowing: Hydration: Drink plenty of water during Suhoor and Iftar to stay hydrated. This helps maintain your skin’s moisture levels throughout the day. Avoid drinks which contain a lot of processed sugar Use a hydrating moisturiser with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceremides or glycerin after cleansing to lock in moisture. We love the Dermalogica Calm Water Gel and also the Circular Hydration Serum Calming Skincare: Avoid strong exfoliators or strong active ingredients (like retinol or AHAs) during the day, as fasting can make the skin more sensitive. Opt for gentle cleansers, soothing masks, and calming ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile, or calendula. Less Actives: Reduce the use of potent actives like Vitamin C, retinol, or benzoyl peroxide during Ramadan to prevent irritation, due to the lack of water and food for many hours which  can lead to the skin feeling drier. Stay Away from Oily & Sugary Foods: Oily and sugary foods can trigger breakouts and inflammation, so aim for a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats. Focus on eating foods that are rich in antioxidants, like berries, nuts, and leafy greens, to support your skin from the inside out. Rest and Sleep: Adequate sleep is essential during Ramadan to allow your skin to repair and rejuvenate. Lack of sleep can lead to dull skin and dark circles. I know this is probably the hardest step to do as needing to wake before sunrise can disturb the sleep pattern. Sun Protection: Apply sunscreen when going out during the day to protect your skin from UV damage. Opt for a gentle, non-comedogenic sunscreen. this is actually an all year around tip – sun rays are the biggest cause of skin ageing.  These tips should help keep your skin healthy, hydrated, and calm throughout the month of Ramadan.

Free yourself from the constant battle of shaving, epilating and waxing unwanted hair on your body. The world has come a long way in terms of getting rid of hair in a quicker and longer lasting way – such as laser hair removal Here are some of the most common questions about laser hair removal:  How does it work?Laser hair removal works by selectively heating melanin that is in the hair follicle while leaving the rest of your skin untouched. This then weakens the hair follicle, and hairs that were present in the follicles will fall out over the next couple of weeks and future hair growth will be impaired. What is the average amount of treatments required?The number of sessions depends on various factors, including the area of the body being treated, skin colour, coarseness of hair, hormones and gender etc. Generally: Face: 6 to 12 treatments. Body: 6 to12 treatments. (This may vary) Bear in mind that laser hair removal is a permanent hair reduction, there will be some hair that are left and will require top ups. How often do I get my treatment done?Face every 4 to 6 weeks. Body every 6 to 8 weeks. Why can I only shave when having a laser treatment?In order for the laser to work you need to have hair in the hair follicle. This hair attracts the laser, heats up and weakens the follicle.  Do I need a patch test?Yes, a patch test is always required before starting any treatment to ensure your suitability to the laser, along with a full consultation. You can start your treatment 5-7 days after your patch test. What are the most common side-effects and risks? During treatment: slight discomfort. Post treatment: itching, redness, and swelling around the treatment area. These side effects rarely last more than three days. Most people wont even have any side-effects. Like anything beauty related there are always rare side effects and risks. In this context it could be hyper-pigmentation, blistering, scarring, acne, swelling around the hair follicle and scab formation. However, with a through consultation, patch test and following the aftercare instructions these risks are minimised. Preparing for your treatmentAvoid sun exposure at least four weeks before treatment. Avoid fake tanning for at least 2 week before treatment. Do not bleach, pluck or wax 4 to 6 weeks before and stick to shaving. For lighter skin clients wait for tanned skin to fade before beginning treatment. What to expect on the day of treatment24 hours prior to your procedure you should make sure the area being treated is freshly shaven. This will allow for effective energy delivery of the laser device to your hair follicles, thus providing a more effective treatment.  During the treatment, the laser specialist will guide the device over the treatment area. As she does, it will deliver light energy and you will feel cold air blowing from our Cryo-6 Skin Cooling unit, for added comfort. It is normal to feel a slight snapping sensation like a rubber band as the energy is being delivered.  Does laser work for all skin types? Yes, you just need to make sure that it is the right laser type At Saiqs we use the Cynosure Elite+ laser system, which uses both Alexandrite and the ND:YAG system, which target and destroy hair cells without damaging the surrounding skin resulting in smooth, hair-free skin that lasts. Treating all skin types from the darkest to the lightest. Our system is the safest laser for darker skins as it can penetrate into the skin by passing the melanin in the skin and getting to the root of the hair therefore less risk of burning the skin. At Saiqs you can also pay for your laser hair removal treatment in 4 instalments. Get in touch for the start of your hairless journey: Saiqs (Hair & Beauty) 0208 539 9466