Why Should You Wear Sunscreen?

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Why Should You Wear Sunscreen?

Summer is finally approaching! Whether you enjoy getting a tan at the beach or during outdoor activities, unprotected exposure to the sun has serious consequences on your skin’s health and appearance. Everyone, regardless of skin tone, is subject to sunburns, premature aging, collagen loss, skin wrinkling, and skin cancer including Melanoma, which is the deadliest form of skin cancer.

One component of sunlight is ultraviolet (UV) rays, consisting of UVA rays, known as aging rays, UVB rays, known as burning rays, and UVC rays. In order to best protect your skin, it is important to have an understanding of what UV rays are and how they affect us.[a1]

UVA rays are the part of the UV spectrum nearest visible light and are long wavelengths that causes tanning and results in premature aging of skin. UVA is present throughout the day and cannot be blocked by glass windows.

UVB rays are short wavelengths and are known as the primary cause of developing skin cancer. UVB rays damage the skin at the superficial epidermal layer causing reddening and sunburns. UVB rays are most intense from 10 00am to 4 00pm.

UVC rays are absorbed by the ozone layer and do not reach the earth’s surface.

[a2] Now that you know how UV rays affect the skin, here are some suggestions of preventative measures for protection

Avoid sun exposure between 10 00am to 4 00pm if possible; if not, find shade

Wear protective clothing, a hat and UV protection sunglasses Avoid tanning and sunbathing

Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or above that contains physical blockers as active ingredients, such as Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide

Reapply sunscreen when spending extended periods of times outdoors

As a skincare professional, I recommend that everyone wear sunscreen daily. Even if you are not spending the day outside, UV rays can still damage your skin through windows and can contribute to speeding up the aging process, dull skin and uneven skin tone. Since there are so many different sunscreens available on the market, make sure to select a sunscreen that is suitable for your skin type (dry, oily or combination) and for any skin conditions (acne-prone, etc.). Some sunscreens also come in a tinted version to help with some extra coverage, if necessary.

Everyone should make sure to take great care of their skin and protect it as much as possible from sun damage. Skin protection is worth the investment in time and money. Always seek advice from a skincare professional to advise you on how to care for your skin.