Sunscreen Safety

Believe it or not, summer is just around the corner. That means short sleeves, beach blankets and, of course, sunscreen.

All sunscreens have an SPF rating, and it's important to find the right one for you. SPF stands for “sun protection factor,” and determines how long you can possibly stay out in the sun while avoiding the sun’s damaging rays and potentially becoming sunburned. For example, if you normally redden after 15 minutes, a sunscreen with an SPF of 4 would allow you to stay out in the sun for up to an hour before showing signs of sun damage.

As a licensed esthetician, I highly recommend sunscreen for everyday use, whether it be in your lotion, makeup or used alone. Using sunscreen will not only protect you from signs of aging such as hyperpigmentation, wrinkles and deep lines, it will also protect you from more dangerous effects like skin cancer. The three types of skin cancer are basal cell, which is the most common form, squamous cell, common among the fair-skinned and African Americans, and malignant melanoma, which is the most fatal form.

Certain medications and skin care regimens require a daily sunscreen. Consult with your physician or dermatologist to determine if you need to be using one.

Sunscreen should be applied all over to the face and body and reapplied according to the directions given. I suggest SkinCeuticals Ultimate UV Defense SPF 30, which contains zinc oxide, a natural UV ray blocker, and also Blue Lizard Sport Suncream, a non-greasy sunscreen rated SPF 30+. (Blue Lizard’s bottles even turn colors when exposed to UV light, so they provide a good warning sign of when you need to apply).

Be proactive about your skin's health. When seeing your physician, always have them check you over for any moles or any unfamiliar markings that may have appeared on your body.