Sunscreen: Your Burning Questions Answered
Basking in the sun feels great until it doesn’t anymore and we end up with a sunburn that can last hours or even days. It’s important to protect your skin from the sun every day. We often get questions about the importance, efficacy and if there are any downsides to sunscreen. Today we will take the time to answer a few of our most frequently asked questions.
How important is wearing sunscreen?
Very important. It cannot be overemphasized how vital sunscreen is to our skin health. That being said, sunscreen is only one piece of a holistic strategy to prevent harmful UV exposure. Other steps you can take include avoiding the sun during peak hours, when the sun is most intense, typically between 10 am to 2 pm.
Protective clothing is also a great idea, wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and sun protective clothing are great additions to help prevent sun damage. One way to tell if your clothing will provide adequate sun protection is to hold your clothes to the light and see how much shines through. If it lets most light pass, it likely won’t protect you.
Aside from burns, why should I be concerned about sun exposure?
UV Rays are the leading cause of premature aging, which includes wrinkles, sagging, and dryness. Those with deeper skin types may notice uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation.
Does a base tan provide protection?
There is simply no such thing as a ‘healthy tan’. Tans are your body showing you that it’s undergone UV damage.
What is SPF? Is SPF 50 the best?
SPF stands for sun protection factor. It’s a measurement of how much solar energy (UVA,UVB) it takes to cause a sunburn, as apposed to untreated skin. So wearing adequate amounts of SPF 15 means it will take 15 times more solar energy to cause a burn; SPF 50 would take 50 times more.
When should I wear sunscreen? How much is enough?
For your entire body, it's recommended you use a shot glass sized amount. For the face 1/4 teaspoon is enough. You should wear sunscreen every day regardless of the weather or season. UVA’s are present even on cloudy winter days. During the day you should reapply as needed, if you’re outdoors you should reapply every 2 hours. If you work indoors away from windows you should apply 15 minutes before leaving the office. It only takes 15 minutes of sun exposure for sun damage to occur, so your commute home could leave you exposed without sunscreen.
Is the SPF in my makeup enough?
In short- no. The reason is that in order to get the SPF advertised on foundation you would need to use a quantity that’s frankly unreasonable. It’s best to look for a tinted sunscreen as a better alternatives. Sunscreens are held to a higher standard of protection.
Should I wear sunscreen if I’m indoors?
Yes! You should make applying sunscreen a part of your daily routine. UV rays are still able to reach you through your windows, so even if you aren’t outside you still need protection. If you spend time near your windows you should reapply sunscreen at least twice throughout the day.
Doesn’t sunscreen cause Vitamin D deficiency?
It’s very difficult to get Vitamin D deficiency from sunscreen. 15 minutes of sun exposure a week is enough to provide all the vitamin D required to be healthy. So every time you grab your mail, walk to your car or are less than perfect about your sunscreen, you’re getting enough vitamin D. If you’re still concerned, you can always increase your intake of vitamin D rich foods (egg yolk, oily fish, mushrooms) or take supplements.
Mineral VS Chemical Sunscreen. What’s the difference?
Both Mineral and Chemical Sunscreen provide protection from UVA and UVB rays, they just work in different ways. Mineral Sunscreens (zinc oxide, titanium oxide) work by reflecting UV rays before they can cause harm to your skin. Chemical Sunscreens absorb UV rays and experience a chemical reaction, releasing the radiation as heat energy before it can harm your skin.
What is the best sunscreen?
The best sunscreen is the one that you will use. It’s up to your personal preference.
If I have darker skin do I still need sunscreen?
Absolutely! Melanin provides some level of sun protection but it’s a lot less than you might expect. Deep skin tones SPF ranges from 3-13. SPF 15 is considered low sun protection. So although you may have some natural protection it’s not quite enough to forgo sunscreen altogether.
Is expired sunscreen ok to use?
Like any drug, expiry dates are there for a reason. Expired sunscreen cannot guarantee efficacy. You could put yourself at risk of burns if you use expired sunscreen, especially if you notice the product is separating. Having expired sunscreen is also a good sign that you are not using it properly. A bottle of sunscreen should not last you longer than a few months if you apply and reapply every day.
