Because summer is now behind us, it may seem an odd time to bring up the idea of sunscreen. Usually, this is the hot topic before the summer months. Not this time. We recognize the danger of this particular change of seasons. Studies reflect it. Because the sun is not as intense during Fall, and we are headed for colder – much colder – weather, sunscreen use largely falls to the wayside. It is crucial that we remember the value of daily sunscreen application, regardless of the time of year we are in.
Now that we have touched on the immense need for routine sunscreen use, we want to offer more in-depth information regarding this vital aspect of skin care. As long as sunscreen products have been around, a fair amount of confusion remains. What SPF do we use? How does sunscreen even work? In fact, so much attention is given to SPF, or sun protection factor, that many people look no further.
We’ll start here. SPF. There is no need to go so far as to apply SPF 100 on the skin every day. The percentage of UV light that is blocked by broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen is high enough, 97%, to protect from premature aging and skin cancer. Just remember to reapply every few hours!
Looking deeper into sunscreen products, we can also see that there are two basic mechanisms of action on the skin. Chemical sunscreens, or organic sunscreens, enable the skin to absorb UV light and disperse it as heat. This diffusing of light as heat lessens the damage of exposure. Mineral sunscreen also called physical sunscreen, deflects and scatters UV rays so far less absorption, if any, occurs.
In one study by the Environmental Working Group, physical sunscreen products were rated higher than chemical sunscreens regarding UV protection. The nanoparticles of titanium or zinc oxide minerals remain stable in sunlight while providing broad-spectrum protection. Broad spectrum means that the sunscreen is blocking or filtering UVA and UVB light, both of which age and damage the skin.
The change of seasons from Summer to Fall leads us into a whole new arena regarding skin care, but sunscreen is still an integral aspect of promoting healthy, youthful skin. Fall is also an excellent time of year to address tone and textural issues with resurfacing treatments performed by our experienced team.
Contact us to learn more about our resurfacing services.