Why Sun Protection Matters
Let’s Talk Sunscreen
You know sunscreen is the stuff put on your skin in order to protect yourself from UV rays. On every bottle of sunscreen, you’ll see the Sun Protection Factor, or SPF, listed.The Skin Cancer Foundation, says that SPF is a number that tells you how long UV rays would take to burn your skin “if you apply the sunscreen exactly as directed compared with the amount of time without sunscreen.”
What that means is if you use an SPF 30, it takes 30 times longer to burn than if you used no sunscreen. So if you would normally burn in 2 minutes without sunscreen, you would burn in 60 minutes with sunscreen applied properly. Make sense?
No sunscreen can completely block the sun. There is always 2-3 percent allowed to reach your skin and that is sufficient for vitamin D production. The one thing UV rays are good for is that they trigger a protein in your skin to make vitamin D. This helps to regulate calcium levels that keep our teeth and bones strong. It’s just a myth that sunscreen blocks the production of vitamin D, so slather it on!
What kind of sunscreen should I use?
There are a lot of sunscreens lining store shelves, so it can be overwhelming trying to pick out the best and most effective one for your body. Let’s break it down, there are two basic types of sunscreens on the market: mineral and chemical.
Mineral sunscreen
Mineral sunscreen is also known as physical sunscreen because the minerals that its made of literally block the sun’s rays. These sunscreens are usually thick and sit on the surface of the skin to reflect the UV rays away. They start working as soon as they are applied, so there is no need to wait for it to absorb. Active ingredients in mineral sunscreen include zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
Mineral sunscreen is great for people who have sensitive skin because it’s less likely to cause allergic reactions. It’s also good for people with oily skin or acne prone individuals because it doesn’t clog pores.
Another plus of many mineral sunscreens is that they are better for the environment. Some countries and states have passed laws that people must wear “ocean safe” sunscreens in natural bodies of water in order to protect marine wildlife. One of these sunscreens is Koa, and is carried by Water House Wellness.
Not everyone is a fan of mineral sunscreen, mainly because it leaves a white cast on your skin. This is because the active ingredients are made up of white particles. This white cast is very visible on dark skin tones, but there are options available so that anyone can use them. Water House Wellness carries both Bask and Fortuna Sunset, brands that don’t leave a white cast.
Chemical sunscreen
If you haven’t found the perfect mineral sunscreen, chemical is an option. Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing the sun’s rays but prevent them from getting into the skin. They tend to be a thinner, more spreadable consistency and don’t leave the white cast that many mineral sunscreens do. Another plus is that there are water resistant formulations and don’t need to be applied as often as mineral sunscreens. This makes them great for swimming and other outdoor activities.
But, not everyone wants the chemicals contained in the formulations on their skin. Some of the active ingredients may include Avobenzone, Octinoxate, and Oxybenzone. Chemical sunscreens also have a higher risk of allergic reactions and irritation for people with sensitive skin. They also need to be applied about 20 minutes before sun exposure, since they don’t work well until they are absorbed into the skin.
Something is Better than Nothing!
Both mineral and chemical sunscreens have their pros and cons, but what you choose comes down to your preference. After the release of a 2019 study, there has been some concern about avobenzone that is contained in some chemical sunscreen being absorbed into the blood. But the US Food and Drug Administration maintains that chemical sunscreens are safe.
No matter what you choose and for what reasons, using either mineral or chemical sunscreen is better than wearing nothing at all.
Another Way to Wear Sun Protection
Not everyone wants to bask in the sun. Sometimes the warmth is nice, but there are people who prefer to just want to avoid the sun as much as possible. Staying in the shade is one option, but it limits outdoor fun!
Using clothing to block the sun is one way to avoid sunshine. Wide brimmed hats or baseball caps can shield the face and protect the eyes. An umbrella or parasol (the literal translation of “shield from sun”) can be held to block rays as well. Believe it or not, UV rays can penetrate some fabrics.
There are sun protection fabrics on the market. These are often labeled as UPF or ultraviolet protection factor. Similar to SPF ratings for sunscreen, UPF measures how effective a fabric is at filtering both UVA and UVB rays. Look for a higher UPF rating number for better coverage.
UPF is interpreted a little differently than SPF. A UPF rating of 30 indicates the fabric of a garment will allow 1/30th (roughly 3 percent) of available UV radiation to pass through it. One that is rated UPF 50 permits only 1/50th (about 2 percent) UV transmission. Any fabric that allows less than 2 percent UV transmission is labeled UPF 50+.
Other Considerations
Now that you know the type of UV protection available you can make an informed decision for your needs. But, there are a few more things to think about when it comes to protecting your skin from UV rays.
Tan or Dark Skin
Light skinned people with blue or green eyes and freckles are at higher risk of sun damage. But it’s a myth that darker skinned people are immune. Although it’s true that they don’t burn as easily, UV rays are dangerous for everyone. Anyone can get skin cancer so we all need to take precautions.
If you’re faking darker skin with sunless tanner, you’re still at risk. Sunless tanners have come a long way in the past few decades and offer a wide range of shades (not just orange). They do not provide UV protection or contain sunscreen.
Photosensitivity
There are products, treatments, and medications that can make you incredibly sensitive to the sun. These increase the risk of a phototoxic reaction, a chemically induced change in the skin that makes it photosensitive to UV rays. You are at high risk of getting a bad sunburn, blisters, or other types of sun damage. Photosensitivity is usually temporary but the damage could be long term.
Skincare
Skincare products are at the top of the list of things that can make the skin extra sensitive. The following products mean that you should be taking extra precautions:
Retinol
Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)
Beta-Hydroxy Acids (BHAs)
Exfoliants that increase cellular turnover
If you use any of these, you should be using them only at night. During the day, stay out of the sun as much as possible and be religious about sunscreen, reapplying every two hours.
Certain skincare treatments can also cause photosensitivity. If you’re having chemical peels, laser treatments, or microneedling done you will want to take extra precautions. The hours and days immediately following the treatments you may want to completely avoid sun exposure.
Medications
Medications can also cause photosensitivity. These include both prescription and over the counter drugs and many are very common. The list includes:
Tricyclic antidepressants
Diabetes drugs
Anti-inflammatory drugs: ibuprofen and naproxen
Birth control pills
Antibiotics: Doxycycline, tetracycline, and ciprofloxacin
Antihistamines
Diabetes drugs
Chemotherapy drugs
Because medications are systemic and affect the entire body rather than just the face, sunscreen of at least SPF 30 should be applied on exposed areas and sun protective fabrics are strongly recommended.
Outdoor Environment
Just because you can’t see the sun doesn’t mean that you aren’t at risk of UV exposure. Up to 90 percent of the sun’s rays can still get to your skin even on cloudy days. You can not only still get a burn, but if you are near water or sand, you might even get a worse sunburn because those elements reflect the sun.
Have a Great Summer!
Summer can be a fun time of year but we need to take the sun seriously. Exposure adds up and sun damage can not be reversed.
Sunscreen is inexpensive and widely available (even right here at Water House Wellness). If you want information on how to better take care of your body during these hot summer months, we’ve written an article to help you out. If you have any specific questions about protecting yourself, our estheticians on staff who can give you some great suggestions for what might work best for you!