The Importance of Wearing Sunscreen
Do you need sunscreen?
It's no secret that the sun can be damaging to your skin. Prolonged exposure can cause burns, premature aging, and even skin cancer. But did you know that sunscreen can help protect your skin from these harmful effects? All skin types can benefit from protecting their skin from UV exposure. In this blog post, we'll discuss why sunscreen is so important, different types of UV filters, and how it can help keep your skin looking young and healthy.
How does sunscreen work?
Sunscreen works by absorbing, reflecting, or scattering the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. Ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation is the leading cause of premature skin aging, while ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation is the main cause of sunburn. Both types of UV radiation can contribute to the development of skin cancer. There are two main different sun protection types, physical and chemical sunscreens. Physical sunscreens are usually referred to as sunblocks and utilize titanium or zinc oxide as the UV filter. The main issue with these is they can have moderate to heavy white casts left over that doesn’t blend into the skin well. They operate almost the same as chemical UV filters, by absorbing and converting the UV rays into thermal energy in the skin. It was once thought that physical blocks completely reflected UV rays, thus being superior to chemical screens. It has now been shown that physical UV filters still absorb about 95% of UV rays. Chemical UV filters absorb the UV rays entirely and ultimately convert them into thermal energy in the skin. you can see this as not being ideal as we don’t like any sort of heat or inflammation to disturb the internal skin. The amount of heat is nothing to be extremely worried about and is negligible when compared to the damage you are preventing. Circadia makes an absolute dream sunscreen called Light Day Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 37. It absorbs into the skin perfect and includes a photo-stabilizer that minimizes the impact of the thermal energy release! Chemical sunscreens have shown over and over again there usability, versatility, and ability to blend into all skin types perfect and have a much more pleasant feel.
Why is sunscreen so important?
Wearing sunscreen is one of the best ways to protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun. In addition to preventing premature aging and sunburn, sunscreen can also help reduce your risk of developing skin cancer. In addition when treating your skin professionally and at home we are usually putting the melanocytes into a dormant state, or trying our best to do so. Melanocytes are the cells which create melanin in direct response to trauma or UV exposure. When using brightening products and slowing down the melanocytes it is important to be protecting the skin from UV damage! Almost all of the results you are working toward will be for nothing if the skin is not protected consistently and proactively. In addition if you are using any retinoid, exfoliant, or stimulant of any sort your skin will be photosensitized and need sunscreen even more to prevent reverse damage.
How do I choose the right sunscreen?
When choosing a sunscreen, it's important to look for one that offers both UVA and UVB protection. Chemical or physical protection is personal preference and you should choose one that you enjoy applying and will apply everyday. The SPF (sun protection factor) indicates how well a product will protect against UVB rays. The higher the SPF may seem to be better in theory, but it is not directly. The time of protection while in use is better indicated by the SPF. However, no sunscreen provides complete protection from the sun's harmful rays. That's why it's still important to limit your time in the sun, even when wearing sunscreen. Hats and covering clothing is also a great way to minimize the impact of UV damage!
Are you ready to start protecting your skin?
Wearing sunscreen is one of the best ways to protect your skin from damage caused by exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays. Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 for both UVA and UVB protection, and be sure to reapply it every two hours, especially if swimming or sweating. By taking these simple precautions, you can help keep your skin looking young and healthy for years to come.
