Spring, Sunscreen & Skin Health
Spring is here and we’re all looking forward to warmer weather and spending more time outside. May is also National Skin Cancer Prevention Month, so now is a perfect opportunity to talk about skin health and preventing sun damage.
The best way to keep your skin healthy for years to come? Wearing sunscreen everyday! I talk about this a lot - but let me explain why sunscreen is the very best tool in your anti-aging arsenal, and the role it plays for overall skin health and cancer prevention.
Why You Should Wear Sunscreen Everyday
Daily sunscreen application makes a huge difference for the health and appearance of your skin. If you haven’t already started incorporating sunscreen into your daily skincare routine - you should start today! And not just in the summer, but all year round.
Even when it’s not hot and sunny out, you’re still exposed to the sun’s rays. You may not get a burn– but that minimal daily sun exposure adds up over time. Years down the road, you’ll wish you took my advice!
Here are the top 2 reasons to wear sunscreen every day:
1. Avoid Skin Cancer
Every year in America, there are over 5 million cases diagnosed, making skin cancer the most common cancer in the nation. Fortunately- it’s also one of the most preventable forms of cancer.
When it comes down to it – the more unprotected sun exposure you have in your lifetime, the greater the chance of developing skin cancer. Factors that increase your risk of skin cancer are excessive sun exposure, a history of sunburns, and lesions that develop due to sun exposure.
Early detection is crucial. What are some signs to look for?
New spots
Any spot that doesn’t look like others on your body
A sore that doesn’t heal
Redness or new swelling beyond the border of a mole
Color that spreads from the border of a spot into surrounding skin
Itching, pain, or tenderness in an area that doesn't go away
Changes in the surface of a mole
2. Prevent Premature Aging
If avoiding skin cancer isn’t enough to get you wearing sunscreen, preventing signs of aging may be! Repeated sun exposure is the quickest way to age your skin.
Also referred to as photoaging, sun damage causes DNA changes in your skin on a cellular level. The sun’s rays break down and damage your essential skin proteins - namely keratin, collagen, and elastin. These components are what keep your skin youthful and elastic. As damage occurs over time, you’ll notice wrinkles, fine lines, uneven texture, and pigmentation changes.
This damage happens in the deepest layers of your skin, so the aftermath takes years to manifest into visible changes. While you’re enjoying your beach days and tanned skin in your twenties, by the time your thirties roll around you’ll notice these unwelcome signs of damage.
As your aesthetic provider – I can help you with a lot of your aging concerns. But if you’re not taking steps to prevent additional damage - you’re sabotaging your results!
UVA, UVB, SPF - What Does it All Really Mean?
When it comes to sunscreen - these acronyms get thrown around a lot. But understanding what they mean can help you pick the most effective products.
There are two types of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight - UVA and UVB. These rays are energy from the sun, and man-made sources like tanning beds. Both UVA and UVB rays contribute to the development of skin cancer.
UVB rays damage the outermost layer of your skin. They are what cause your skin to tan, burn, or even blister.
UVA rays don’t leave you with a sunburn, but they do penetrate more deeply into your skin and play a bigger role in premature aging. UVA rays are always there - penetrating windows and cloud cover. Even in the winter months, or on cloudy days, UVA rays are meeting your skin and slowly contributing to those signs of aging you’re trying to avoid.
So basically - you want to protect yourself from both UVA and UVB rays. Selecting a sunscreen that has ‘broad-spectrum’ protection means you’re protected from both.
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. This is what you see on bottles of sunscreen, and is correlated to UVB rays and the amount of protection it provides. If you use an SPF 30, it would take you 30 times longer to burn than if you didn’t have any sunscreen on. Is higher better? Not necessarily.
If applied properly, a 30 - 50 SPF is really all you need. Studies show very small differences in protection above 50 SPF. You may find false security in high SPF – which can actually provide less protection if you’re not reapplying, finding shade, and using a hat and sunglasses throughout the day.
Photo cred to Oculoplastic Orlando
ZO Sun Protectant
ZO Skin Health has a great variety of sunscreen options to choose from, including travel sizes! Here’s a quick rundown of what my favorite skincare line offers.
Sunscreen + Powder in light, med, deep
Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen - with an SPF of 50, this product is a mild formula great for sensitive skin types or post-procedure skin. This sunscreen is soothing and helps calm any irritation.
Daily Sheer Broad-Spectrum - another SPF 50, this sunscreen is light, non-greasy, and hydrating.
Smart Tone Broad-Spectrum - ultra-light, this SPF 50 has a tint of color designed to blend into almost any skin tone. It works to decrease the appearance of any redness and sun damage. Leaves a dewey finish.
Sunscreen + Primer - this product doubles as a makeup primer with a smooth matte finish. With an SPF of 30 - you get UVA/UVB protection while diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Sunscreen + Powder Broad-Spectrum- This SPF 40 powder absorbs oil to minimize shine, while keeping your skin hydrated and smooth. The color-enhancing pigments (light, medium, or deep) and light reflecting minerals provide a seamless look with a healthy glow.
If you have any questions about these products – contact me today!. If you’re experiencing some photoaging I also have some treatments that can help. Book an appointment and we’ll make a plan to reduce these signs of damage and keep your skin vibrant and youthful.
XO, Lauren