SUN Protection
Must –know facts
- 95% of skin aging changes are caused by sun exposure and most of the skin damage is attributed to UVA (aging rays) compared to UVB (burning rays).
- Long wavelength UVA, which comprises the vast majority of UV light is very close in wavelength to visible light. A simple rule of thumb: no matter what skin color, if you are outside in daytime, you should protect against UVA even if the sun isn’t hot or doesn’t shine. UVA comes through, clouds, car windows and windshield as you drive.
- Sunscreen is a must! It should be used daily, year round to prevent hyperpigmentation; dark spots, uneven skin tone, post acne scars and hormonal discoloration.
Common Misconceptions:
Men and women, especially of the darker skin tones often believe they don’t need to use sunscreen since they rarely complain of sunburn, but this is false. Dark skin also needs it! It is best to use a sunscreen with a minimum sun protection factor of at least 30 which protects from the damaging rays of the sun. No cosmetics should ever be used in place of a good broad spectrum sunscreen. Many make-up companies claim to have an SPF of 15 or 20. This is great in theory, but SPF can only refer to UVB blockers. In addition, moisturizers and foundations are absorbed by the skin, so they are by nature less effective at sitting on the skin’s surface as sunscreens are. No matter what skin color, sunscreen is a must!
Sun damage doesn’t just occur from lying on the beach. It happens all the time; during winter and summer, through sunshine and rain. When using lightening and brightening products it makes the skin more sensitive to UV light and can cause the skin to become darker. Even fluorescent light bulbs emit UVA and UVB rays, breaking down collagen and elastin.
Sun Tips:
- Anti-aging begins with PREVENTION.
- Four out of five wrinkles are directly caused by sun damage alone.
- Get in the habit of applying sunscreen ½ hour before you leave your house or office.
- Protect yourself from the sunlight that comes through your office windows.
- Change all halogen light bulbs in the house and replace them with standard bulbs.
- Wear gloves while driving ( preferably without little holes)
- Wear a wide brimmed cotton woven hat when exposed to sunlight. ( straw hat not recommended)
- When exposed to the sun for long periods of time, darker skin has more of a tendency to appear “ashy” especially if it’s not well lubricated, so it’s best to use creams and lotions after showering when skin is slightly damp.
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