WHAT DERMATOLOGISTS WANT YOU TO KNOW ABOUT SUNSCREENS
Even though every month should be UV Safety Month, July is the most important month of the year to protect skin from sun exposure. Although almost everyone enjoys spending time outdoors, many people think that using sunscreen is optional. As dermatologists, we know to always wear sunscreen when outdoors. Nevertheless, it is important to understand all the reasons and benefits of wearing sunscreen in order to educate your patients for their summer practices.
WHY SHOULD I WEAR SUNSCREEN?
Light comes in a broad spectrum of wavelengths, and short wavelength light has higher energy. The light emitted by the sun contains not only visible light, but also ultraviolet (UV) light, which is more aggressive. UV light can be divided into subcategories: UVA (long wavelength), UVB (medium wavelength) and UVC (short wavelength).
All three types of UV light have dangerously high energy and when the skin is exposed to these wavelengths, can cause sunburn and irritation. Even if the skin does not burn, prolonged exposure to either UV rays or visible spectrum rays causes an increase in signs of skin aging, such as hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, and may also significantly increase the risk of skin cancer.
Fortunately, sunscreens can prevent, and in some cases reverse, these negative effects of sun exposure. Sunscreens contain ingredients designed to repel light in different regions of the spectrum, whether UV or visible. They thus protect against damage and preserve the health of the skin in the long term.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD SUNSCREEN?
We could have a long discussion about the benefits of some ingredients and the dangers of others, but those are not, ultimately, the things that make the best sunscreen. Instead, we believe the best sunscreen is the one you take out of the bottle and wear.
People avoid wearing sunscreen for a number of reasons. Some don't like the smell, others are rightly concerned about the safety of certain ingredients. But whatever the reasons, wearing sunscreen is imperative for skin health. Even "dangerous" additives in sunscreens are usually not as dangerous as not wearing any.
Actually, it doesn't really matter what type of sunscreen you use, as long as you wear one.
HOW TO ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO WEAR SUNSCREEN?
Since sunscreen use is so important, it helps to make quality sunscreens that people enjoy. If they feel like putting it on, they'll be much more likely to do so.
At LUKSO NeuroCosmetics, we have carefully formulated, researched and developed a high quality sunscreen, the Ultra Repair Sunscreen SPF 40. It offers both UVA and UVB protection, and its tinted, lightweight formula applies smoothly and evenly to the skin. Be sure to use sunscreen all year round and remember that ideally you should reapply sunscreen every two hours when you are outdoors.
