Doctor Charlene DeHaven, MD., medical director of iS Clinical Skincare wrote an excellent article about sunscreen.
Here is a summary of the important details you should know.
The FACTS According to the Skin Cancer Foundation:
- 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetimes
- ONLY 18% actually wear a DAILY ultraviolet (UV) moisturizer
- 90% of non-melanoma skin cancer and 65% of melanoma skin cancer are related to UV exposure
- Up to 90% of all skin changes related to aging are caused by sun exposure
Protection just takes a few minutes each day.
- A daily sunscreen doesn’t have to feel heavy or greasy. A light, clean, non-greasy daily moisturizer with an sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 offers adequate protection incidental sun exposure most experience on the average day. And it’s comfortable to wear under makeup. I apply Revisions Intellishade SPF 45 every morning to my face; it protects and blends everything together with the skin tone matching tint and prevents aging with quality antioxidants.
- You are exposed to more sun than you think. Everyone knows to wear sunscreen on vacation or at the beach, but most underestimate their daily exposure. It’s typical to be exposed to up to 18 incidental hours of radiation a week; plus, some radiation comes through the windows even when you’re indoors. That’s why it’s so important to wear sunscreen each and every day, even when it’s cloudy or raining.
- All radiation is not created equal. UVB rays cause the most visible changes to the skin, such as inflammation and erythema (sunburn). But UVA rays, which make up 95% of the rays that reach the Earth, penetrate deep into the dermis and are linked to skin aging (wrinkling, loss of elasticity, slower wound-healing, etc.) and carcinogenesis. A broad-spectrum sunscreen protects against both, but make sure that the product contains FDA-recognized ingredients, such as avobenzone and zinc oxide. When I am outside and need more coverage on my body or for protecting my kids (both who have very sensitive skin) I like iS Clinical Eclipse SPF 50 physical sunscreen.
- The numbers may not mean what you think. Many people know that the SPF indicates how long a person can stay in the sun in proportion to zero protection: 15 times longer when wearing SPF 15, 30 times longer with SPF 30 and so on. But did you know that the UV filtration of SPF 30 is not double that of SPF 15? In fact, it only blocks 3% more burning rays. While an SPF 30 blocks about 97% of the sun’s damaging rays, SPF 50 will only block one additional percentage point—98%. As the numbers increase above 30, the additional protection increase is negligible.
- A little doesn’t go a long way. At least a half gram (about a teaspoon) of sunscreen is needed to adequately protect the face; a full 30 grams or more (roughly the size of a shot glass) is needed to cover the average body. Without enough product application, the skin remains vulnerable to the sun’s damaging rays. Repeated application is also key, no matter how high the SPF—think every two hours when in direct sunlight or after swimming.
- It’s never too early, or too late, to start wearing sunscreen.
What is the difference between the 2 Broad-Spectrum Sunscreens?
Physical sunscreens. help prevent solar energy from striking the skin. Although very efficient at deflecting the sun’s rays, a small amount still penetrate the sunscreen barrier and strike skin where they can be absorbed. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are physical sunscreens. Physical sunscreens do not react with skin and do not cause skin sensitivity.
Chemical sunscreens. There are a large number of chemical sunscreens. All work by absorbing solar energy themselves and transforming it into a chemical reaction, thus preventing transfer of this energy to skin.
I like this chart showing the difference and effectiveness between the ingredients often used. Compare your current sunscreens ingredients when you have a chance.
It just takes 1 severe sunburn to increase risk of skin cancer. Start applying your SPF daily today!
We would be happy to help you find the best way to protect your skin. No need for an appointment, just stop in!
– Lisa, Esthetician