It’s that time of year again: the days are getting longer, the sun is getting stronger. But before you head out to catch some rays, don’t forget about the importance of using sunscreen, an absolute must-have when it comes to aiding in the prevention of cancer and aging. Hopefully, you’ve already been using it as part of your daily skincare regimen; DermApproach Skin Care Clinic has a variety of products to help you maintain healthy and beautiful skin, as well as a variety of services to keep your skin looking it’s best. Although some sun damage can be reversible, it can be costly. Your first line of defense is always a good sunscreen to keep your skin blemish free and supple.
What type of sunscreen you use also has to do with personal preference. The two major types are chemical sunscreens and physical sunscreens. Physical sunscreens, made from mineral ingredients such as zinc oxide, sit on the top of the skin and deflect UVA rays from the sun away from the skin. Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, made from octinoxate and oxybenzone, are absorbed into the skin and then absorb the sun’s rays. One of the common complaints about physical sunscreens, however, is that because they sit on top of the skin and are sometimes difficult to blend in, they can leave a white cast residue on the skin. They do tend to be less irritating to those with sensitive skin. What’s really most important is that you find something that you like and that you will use consistently
So what should you look for once you’ve decided between physical or chemical sunscreens? You want to make sure that whichever one you choose provides Broad Spectrum protection which means it will protect against both UVA and UVB rays. UVB rays are the ones that cause sunburns, while UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin, causing damage below the skin’s surface.
As for what those numbers mean: SPF 15, SPF 30, etc? They let you know how long it would take for your skin to suffer a sunburn with the protection versus without. For example, it takes your skin 30 times longer to burn with an SPF 30 sunscreen than if you didn’t use any.
In order to be most effective, you need to apply your sunscreen properly. The general rule of thumb is to use the equivalent of a shot glass full for your entire body, to apply 30 minutes before heading outside, and then reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating.
After all that time in the sun, why not consider treating yourself to one of the many services offered by DermApproach? Treatments include microdermabrasion, chemical peels, advanced corrective facials, as well as Dermatude Meta Therapy, a new method for rejuvenation great for anti-aging, skin hydration and restoration.
