Wearing sunscreen is the easiest and one of the most effective ways to protect your skin and keep it looking young and healthy. Experts recommend that everyone over six months wear sunscreen whenever going outside, regardless of the sun’s strength or your skin color.
When choosing a sunscreen, you should consider what the SPF is. SPF (Sun Protection Factor) shows the sunscreen’s ability to protect you from UVB rays. While a sunscreen with at least 30 SPF is good, a higher SPF can offer more protection.
While including sunscreen in your daily skincare and makeup routine might sound like a simple step, it also has a number of other advantages.
Reduces Sunburn Risks
UVB sun rays are responsible for sunburns. You can get sunburns from walking outside, sunbathing on the beach, or using tanning beds.
While sunburns are usually mild, you can get severe ones that might require a visit to a doctor. To ensure this doesn’t happen, reapply sunscreen throughout the day.
You should also ensure your sunscreen is waterproof to prevent it from coming off when swimming. That said, you should reapply sunscreen after swimming or showering as well.
Prevents Premature Skin Aging
Excessive sun exposure is among the primary causes of collagen, elastin, and skin cell damage. Over time, that exposure can result in premature signs of aging like wrinkles, skin sagging, fine lines, skin discoloration, and a leathery appearance.
Reduces Skin Cancer Risk
Excess UV radiation could damage the skin cells’ DNA, altering their structure. As the cells change, they could develop and become cancerous.
Skin cancer can develop even if you do not get redness or a sunburn from sun exposure. It can also occur in any part of the skin exposed to the sun, including the face, arms, legs, and back. It could also happen in places that don’t get much sun exposure, like the soles of your feet.
Experts recommend reapplying your sunscreen every two hours to prevent the rays from penetrating your skin.
Stops Skin Discoloration
Sometimes, your skin might try to make melanin to protect itself from the sun’s rays. However, that can happen unevenly, causing dark patches.
Also called liver spots or sun spots, skin discoloration can result in self-confidence issues. These spots range from tan to brown in color, often appearing on the hands, head, arms, and face, and can happen in both men and women. Sunscreen can stop these skin discoloration issues from occurring.
Reduces Inflammation
You might experience inflammation and painful redness after long sun exposure periods. It can be especially severe if you have skin conditions like rosacea or psoriasis.
You should also avoid sunscreens with harsh ingredients like alcohol, which irritate and dry your skin.
If you have sensitive skin, look for gentle ingredients like titanium oxide and zinc oxide in your sunscreen. Don’t simply go by a label that says it’s for “sensitive skin.”
Book a Consultation At Cope Cosmetic Dermatology
Want to learn more about how to protect your skin from the sun? Dr. Austin Cope at Cope Cosmetic Dermatology will answer any questions you have. He can also help you create an effective skincare and treatment regime to maintain healthy and glowing skin.
Dr. Cope is also the author of Sun Proof: A Practical Guide for Sun-Damaged Skin. How To Maximize Prevention and Repair the Damage. If you’re looking for more information on preventing and healing sun-damaged skin, this is a great resource.
To schedule a consultation at our Highland, UT office today, call us at 385-273-1007 or use our online contact form. We look forward to helping you achieve your skincare goals!
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