Sunscreen is your best protection against skin cancer, sun damage, premature aging, and other damage to your skin from exposure to the UVA and UVB rays from the sun.
May is Melanoma Awareness Month and serves as a reminder that melanoma is a serious skin cancer that is preventable with proper protection when you are in the sun. Sunscreen is your first line of defense against melanoma, other forms of skin cancer, and skin damage. The type of sunscreen chosen is critical. There are two types of sunscreen, chemical and physical.
Chemical sunscreens use chemicals to absorb the UV rays on the skin’s surface so that they do not penetrate and damage the skin. Chemical sunscreens generally do not provide protection for all UVA and UVB rays. Physical sunscreens, or mineral sunscreens, use either titanium dioxide or zinc oxide to physically block the UV rays by deflecting and scattering the UV rays away from the skin. Broad-spectrum physical blocks fully protect from UVA and UVB rays.
Application of sunscreen is not a once-and-done daily activity. It is recommended that sunscreen be reapplied every 80 minutes, if not sooner, when in constant sun exposure. If you are swimming, sweating, rubbing your face often, or participating in other activities that will disrupt the sunscreen on your skin, reapplication every hour and using a water-resistant product will give you the best protection.
In addition to the risk of skin cancers, excess sun exposure causes premature skin aging, resulting in lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and damage from sunburns. Sunscreen is necessary every day regardless of the weather. Damaging UV rays are present on cloudy days, and you are exposed to these rays through windows, from some electronic equipment, and any time you are outdoors.
Proper application of sunscreen is essential for the best protection.
- Apply sunscreen 15-30 minutes before full sun exposure
- Use enough to cover your entire face and exposed body areas – estimate is 1 oz for an adult
- Be sure to include areas such as your ears, exposed scalp, and lips
- Apply with your hands to be sure that you reach every area of exposed skin
- Apply sunscreen after moisturizers and before makeup
- Reapply after swimming
- Carrying a small mineral sunscreen stick or powder tint sunscreen allows for quick reapplication when you are out and about
Preserve the efficacy of your sunscreen with proper storage.
To keep your sunscreen in good condition, the FDA recommends that sunscreen containers not be exposed to direct sun. Instead, protect the sunscreen by wrapping the containers in towels or keeping them in the shade. Sunscreen containers can also be kept in coolers while outside in the heat for long periods.
Mineral physical block sunscreens are formulated to accommodate various skin conditions. Whether you have acne-prone skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, or other skin issues, there are specific sunscreens for you. We carry a wide variety of physical mineral sunscreens in tinted and clear formulas, and our clinical providers are happy to recommend the product best for you.
Protect your skin every day, rain or shine, indoors or out, by properly applying a physical mineral sunscreen.
– Jennifer, Licensed Medical Aesthetician
