sun skin care
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it is estimated that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.
There is only one kind of sunscreen.
There are two types of sunscreen, chemical & physical.
Chemical sunscreen formulas penetrate the skin and will either deflect or convert the UV rays into heat, deactivating their potency. Usually when applying chemical sunscreens, it is recommended that you wait about 20 minutes prior to sun exposure to ensure the formula is fully absorbed.
Physical sunscreens use minerals zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, commonly known as physical blockers, that sit at the very top layers of the dermis, deflecting light particles and dispersing the sun’s rays. These formulas work immediately.
SPF stands for
Sun Protection Factor measures how long a sunscreen will protect you from UVB rays, the rays that cause sunburn and contribute to skin cancer.
SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks 97%, and SPF 50 blocks 98%. Just because your SPF number is higher, does not mean you can sit in the sun without reapplying. You should reapply your sunscreen every two hours.
protect from both
UVA and UVB rays.
Unless the sunscreen says “broad spectrum” it is likely that your SPF only protects from UVB rays. UVA rays penetrate deeper into the dermis, causing signs of aging (wrinkles, discoloration, etc.) In order to truly protect skin from sun damage, make sure to use broad spectrum sun protection to defend against BOTH UVA and UVB rays.