Everything you need to know about sunscreen
What are Sunscreens?
Sunscreens are products combining several ingredients that help prevent the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation from reaching the skin. Two types of ultraviolet radiation, UVA and UVB, damage the skin, age it prematurely, and increase your risk of skin cancer.
Everything you need to know about sunscreen
What are Sunscreens?
Sunscreens are products combining several ingredients that help prevent the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation from reaching the skin. Two types of ultraviolet radiation, UVA and UVB, damage the skin, age it prematurely, and increase your risk of skin cancer.
How Much Sunscreen Should I Use and How Often Should I Apply It?
It is very important to apply sunscreen every day, approximately every two hours depending on your daily activities or how much sun exposure you’re anticipating. Make sure you apply sunscreen to all areas that will be exposed such as, face, ears, arms, and legs unless covered by clothing. Also, it is very important to apply the correct SPF.
In all cases we recommend a broad-spectrum sunscreen offering protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Many after-shave lotions and moisturizers have a sunscreen (usually SPF 15 or greater) already in them, and this is sufficient for everyday activities with a few minutes here and there in the sun.
However, if you work outside or spend a lot of time outdoors, you need stronger, water-resistant, beachwear-type sunscreen that holds together on your skin. The “water resistant” and “very water resistant” types are also good for hot days or while playing sports, because they’re less likely to drip into your eyes when you sweat.
What is SPF?
Most sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or higher do an excellent job of protecting against UVB. SPF — or Sun Protection Factor — is a measure of a sunscreen’s ability to prevent UVB from damaging the skin.
Here’s how it works: If it takes 20 minutes for your unprotected skin to start turning red, using an SPF 15 sunscreen theoretically prevents reddening 15 times longer — about five hours. Another way to look at it is in terms of percentages: SPF 15 filters out approximately 93 percent of all incoming UVB rays. SPF 30 keeps out 97 percent and SPF 50 keeps out 98 percent. They may seem like negligible differences, but if you are light-sensitive, or have a history of skin cancer, those extra percentages will make a difference. And as you can see, no sunscreen can block all UV rays.
But there are problems with the SPF model: First, no sunscreen, regardless of strength, should be expected to stay effective longer than two hours without reapplication. Second, “reddening” of the skin is a reaction to UVB rays alone and tells you little about what UVA damage you may be getting. Plenty of damage can be done without the red flag of sunburn being raised.
At Contour Dermatology we offer many sunscreens that will help protect your skin from sun damage. Click on an image below to learn more about them.
Visit us today to learn more about our amazing sunscreens to protect your skin!
Environmental Defense Sunscreen™ SPF 50+ with UV ProPlex™
Appropriate for: All skin types
PURPOSE: Water resistant (80 minutes), broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection
WHEN TO APPLY: In the morning after cleansing, toning and application of treatment products
WHERE TO APPLY: Face, neck and other sun exposed areas
HOW TO APPLY: Apply liberally 15 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply after 80 minutes of swimming or sweating, and immediately after towel drying at least every two hours.
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Neova DNA Damage control with a skin perfecting
Appropriate for: All skin types
PURPOSE: Water resistant (80 minutes) SPF 40
WHEN TO APPLY: 15 minutes before sun exposure. At least every two hours.
WHERE TO APPLY: Face, neck, and other areas exposed to the sun
Visit us today to learn more about our amazing sunscreens to protect your skin!
