Sunscreen is imperative in the fight against skin cancer, premature aging, and sunburn.
A recent AAD survey found that young adults, aged 18-26, are tanning at increasing rates, putting them at heightened risk for skin cancer.
Additionally, many people, especially these young adults, are falling victim to sunscreen myths and ineffective application techniques. So Love Dermatology is here to help you understand sunscreen!
To protect your skin, avoid these common sunscreen mistakes:
Do not use expired sunscreen: It loses effectiveness over time, exposing your skin to harmful UV rays.
Avoid inhaling spray sunscreen: Aerosols can cause respiratory issues when inhaled. Spray onto hands first, then apply.
Do not mix sunscreen with makeup: This disrupts its protective properties, leading to uneven coverage. If your SPF is blended into your facial moisturizer, re-apply SPF again if you'll be in the sun later in the day.
Don't skip SPF on cloudy days: UV rays penetrate clouds, even though you don't see the sun. Snow, water, and sand reflects UV rays an exponential amount.
Make sure you use enough, don't use too little sunscreen: The AAD recommends about 1 ounce (a shot glass) to cover your body. Reapply every 2 hours, especially after swimming or sweating.
Now you may be wondering how to select the best SPF as the shelves are overflowing with options, which can be overwhelming. Below are some tips to help you narrow it down.
Sunscreen is available with mineral based ingredients or chemical based ingredients, no matter what store you walk into. What's the difference?
Mineral:
Mineral sunscreens tend to be thicker, begin protecting your skin immediately, and often have a visible hue once applied to the skin, however, the ingredients are safer for long term use.
According to Cleveland Clinic, "Mineral sunscreens are composed of minerals (like Zinc Oxide and/or Titanium Dioxide) and protect the skin by reflecting ultraviolet light from the sun. Mineral sunscreen ingredients work as a shield against the sun’s rays. This is because the sunscreen actually sits on your skin's surface, reflecting and scattering the UV rays away from your skin."
Chemical:
Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, "provide sun protection by absorbing the sun’s rays and preventing them from reaching the skin. Chemical sunscreen contains chemical compounds like Avobenzone, Oxybenzone and Octinoxate.
The chemical compounds in chemical sunscreen work as a sort of sponge to absorb the UV rays and then convert them into heat, which is released from your skin. This type of sunscreen is typically transparent and needs some time to be absorbed into your skin before becoming effective," according to Cleveland Clinic.
They also site a con to using chemical suncreens in that, "there are some concerns about the absorption of certain chemical sunscreen ingredients into the bloodstream."
Additional tips:
It's important to look for an SPF that provides broad spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Most dermatologists recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
The SPF number indicates the level of protection against UVB rays, which are the main cause of sunburn. A sunscreen with an SPF of 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays, while SPF 50 blocks 98%.
However, the difference between SPF 30 and SPF 50 is small, and using a high SPF can give a false sense of security, leading people to not reapply.
Choose a sunscreen that feels good on your skin and offers broad-spectrum protection. Make it a non-negotiable part of your daily routine, and pair it with other sun-safe practices like seeking shade and wearing protective clothing.
Daily sunscreen is the most effective way to prevent skin damage, aging, and cancer.
Embrace its power and protect your skin for a lifetime of healthy, radiant beauty.
Shop Love Dermatology Skincare
Shop dermatologist-tested products by Dr. Breedlove, made with natural ingredients and free of sulfates and parabens.
Also available are a complete offering of UV skin care products by EltaMD.
We're here to help when you have questions about either selecting the right products for your skin type, or deciding on the right in-office treatments!
Our staff is knowledgeable and here for you!
Comentarios