Sunscreen
The Basis of Any Skin Care Regimen
Who needs to wear sunscreen?
Everyone! Studies have shown that there is a direct link between sunburns and melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. More often they are traced to damage done by sunburns during your youth. Each year more than 2 million non-melanoma skin cancers are diagnosed. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Academy of Dermatology recognize six skin categories:
Skin Type | Sun History |
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I | Always burns easily, never tans, extremely sun-sensitive skin |
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II | Usually burns easily, tans minimally, very sun-sensitive skin |
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III | Sometimes burns, tans gradually to light brown, sun-sensitive skin |
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IV | Burns minimally, always tans to moderate brown, minimally sun-sensitive skin |
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V | Rarely burns, tans well, sun-insensitive skin |
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VI | Never burns, deeply pigmented, sun-insensitive skin |
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that, regardless of skin type, a broad-spectrum (protects against UVA and UVB rays), water-resistant sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30 should be used year-round.
What are UVA rays?
One of sunlight’s harmful rays; UVA rays (which pass through window glass) penetrate deeper into the dermis, the thickest layer of the skin. UVA rays can interfere with the immune system's ability to protect you against the development and spread of skin cancer. Signs of Premature aging such as, wrinkling and age spots are also caused by UVA exposure.
What are UVB rays?
The other harmful rays from sunlight are UVB rays (which are blocked by glass) and are the primary cause of sunburn.
** HINT: A good way to remember the difference is that UVA rays are the Aging rays and UVB rays are the Burning rays. Excessive exposure to both forms of UV rays can lead to the development of skin cancer.
When should you wear sunscreen?
Everyday, even if you aren’t going to be going outside! Remember UVA rays can penetrate glass leaving exposed skin unprotected from these harmful rays. There are many great sunscreens that can be worn under makeup or even makeup that supply sun protection.
** HINT: Even on a cloudy day, up to 80 percent of the sun's ultraviolet rays can pass through the clouds. In addition, sand reflects 25 percent of the sun's rays and snow reflects 80 percent of the sun's rays.
When should sunscreen be applied and how much?
Sunscreens should be applied to dry skin 15 to 30 minutes BEFORE going outdoors. Most people do not apply the recommended amount of sunscreen for adequate sun protection. One ounce, enough to fill a shot glass, is considered the amount needed to cover the exposed areas of the body properly. Don't forget that lips get sunburned, too, so apply a lip balm that contains sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
Don’t forget to reapply every 2 hours, if participating in activities dealing with water or that cause heavy perspiration, even if they are “Water Resistant.”
When should sunscreen be applied and how much?
Sunscreens are available in many forms, including ointments, creams, gels, lotions, sprays, and wax sticks. Creams are best for dry skin, while gels are preferable in hairy areas, such as the scalp or male chest. Creams typically yield a thicker application than lotions and are best for the face. Sticks are also great for the face or around the eye area.
Ideally, sunscreens should have an SPF of 30 or higher that provides broad-spectrum coverage against both UVA and UVB light. Ingredients to look for on the sunscreen label to ensure broad-spectrum UV coverage include:
· Avobenzone
· Cinoxate
· Ecamsule
· Menthyl anthranilate
· Octyl methoxycinnamate
· Octyl salicylate
· Oxybenzone
· Sulisobenzone
· Titanium dioxide
· Zinc oxide
My Top 3 Favorites In No Particular Order!
SkinCeuticals
- Physical UV Defense SPF 30 or Ultimate UV Defense SPF 30
Neutragena
- Spectrum+ Advanced Sunblock Lotion SPF 55 (or higher)
Aveeno
- Continuous Protection SPF 30 (or higher)
GOT QUESTIONS?
2 Elwood JM, Jopson J. Melanoma and sun exposure: an overview of published studies. Int J Cancer (1997). 73(2):198-203.
3 Fitzpatrick TB. The validity and practicality of sun-reactive skin types I through VI. Arch Dermatol. 1988.124:869-871.
5 Report on Carcinogens, Eleventh Edition (Ultraviolet Radiation Related Exposures); U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Toxicology Program.
7 Neale, R, Williams, G, Green, A. Application patterns among participants randomized to daily sunscreen use in a skin cancer prevention trial. Arch Dermatol. 2002 Oct; 138, 1319-1325.
8 Hemminki K, Dong C. Subsequent cancers after in situ and invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. Arch Dermatol 2000;136:647-51.
9 Hornung RL, Magee KH, Lee WJ, Hansen LA, Hsieh YC. Tanning facility use: are we exceeding the Food and Drug Administration limits? J AM Acad Dermatol. 2003 Oct;49(4):655-61.
10 Miller, SA, Hamilton, SL, Wester, UG, Cyr, WH. An analysis of UVA emissions from sunlamps and the potential importance for melanoma. Photochem Photobiol 68(1998), 63-70.
11 Whitmore SE, Morison, WL, Potten CS, Chadwick C. Tanning salon exposure and molecular alterations. J Am Acad Dermatol 2001;44:775-80.
12 Piepkorn M. Melanoma genetics: an update with focus on the CDKN2A(p16)/ARF tumor suppressors. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2000 May;42(5 Pt 1):705-22; quiz 723-6.
13 Vajdic CM, Kricker A, Giblin M, McKenzie J, Aitken JF, Giles GG, Armstrong BK. Artificial ultraviolet radiation and ocular melanoma in Australia. Int J Cancer. 2004 Dec 10;112(5):896-900.
14 Walters BL, Kelly TM. Commercial tanning facilities: a new source of eye injury. Am J Emerg Med 1987;120:767-77.
15 Clingen PH, Berneburg M, Petit-Frere C, Woollons A, Lowe JE, Arlett CF, Green MH. Contrasting effects of an ultraviolet B and an ultraviolet A tanning lamp on interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor-alpha and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression. Br J Dermatol. 2001 Jul;145(1):54-62.
