Use Sunscreen and When?

Why You Should

Summer is finally here, and with it comes all the joys of spending time poolside, at the beach, and outdoors! All that time in the sun is good for the soul but, unfortunately, can wreak havoc on your body’s largest organ, your skin. Fortunately, you can do plenty of things to enjoy the summer weather without compromising your skin. Let’s look at why and when you should use sunscreen.

Protect Your Skin

HOW DOES THE SUN IMPACT YOUR SKIN?

The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays cause damage to the DNA in your skin cells, leading to mutations that can cause skin damage, such as premature aging and skin cancer. Sun damage happens over time, so you add to your skin’s damage every time you are exposed to the sun’s UV rays. According to the Centers for Disease Control, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States and the most preventable.

WHY SUNSCREEN?

When protecting your skin from the sun’s UV rays, sunscreen is one of your most essential tools. Applying sunscreen to your skin is like putting up a barrier between you and the sun.

There are two types of UV rays: UVA rays that age the skin and UVB rays that cause sunburn. The best sunscreens are labeled “broad spectrum” and contain protection from both types of harmful rays.

Sunscreens are rated with a sun protective factor (SPF). This number refers to how well the sunscreen blocks the sun and its UVB rays. While no sunscreen blocks 100% of UV rays, the higher the SPF number, the more UVB rays the sunscreen will protect you from.

WHEN SHOULD YOU APPLY SUNSCREEN?

Make sunscreen application part of your daily routine. Apply sunscreen daily on areas of your skin that will be exposed to the sun. You may think that sunscreen is just for sunny days, but beware. Even on a cloudy day, the clouds allow 80% of UV rays through.

Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outdoors to allow it time to bind to your skin. Sunscreen only lasts a couple of hours. Reapply your sunscreen every two hours when you spend time outdoors or immediately after swimming. Your sunscreen bottle will give you directions for your specific brand.

While sunscreen is an essential step to healthy skin, there are other precautions you can take to protect yourself from sun damage. Consider wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sun-safe clothing when you venture outside.

If you want to combat sun damage or are looking for exceptional skincare services, book an appointment with Skin Aesthetics of SWFL. With many years of experience, Skin Aesthetics of SWFL offers you a clean and relaxing environment to enjoy a variety of treatments, including derma peels, microneedling, hydrafacials, acne treatments, oxygen therapy, and more.

Call us at 787-536-2398 to book your appointment to pamper yourself today!