With summer just around the corner, it’s more important than ever to be using our sunscreen and staying sun aware. The sun causes premature age spots, wrinkles, sagging, and uneven tone, and it puts us at risk for skin cancer. In fact, UV exposure ages us faster than almost any other environmental factor.
A good sunscreen, when used correctly, can help prevent sunburns, which are a major risk factor for melanoma. To be clear, sunscreen is only one way to protect your skin from harmful UV exposure. You should also follow these sun awareness tips for proper sun safety.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, sunscreen alone cannot fully protect your skin, so it’s important to pair it with other protective habits like seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding tanning beds.
Sun Awareness Tips
- Avoid the sun when rays are strongest, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Seek shade whenever possible.
- Do not use tanning booths, beds, or lamps.
- Wear protective clothing such as long sleeves, pants, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses.
- Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before going outside.
- Use enough sunscreen to fully cover exposed skin.
- Reapply sunscreen every two hours or immediately after swimming or sweating.
- Don’t forget commonly missed areas like the ears, lips, back of the neck, hands, tops of feet, hairline, and exposed scalp.
- Visit your healthcare professional every year for a skin exam.
Apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen or higher. Only sunscreens marked “broad spectrum” protect against both types of damaging UV radiation: UVA and UVB. UVA rays are associated with premature aging, while UVB rays are the primary cause of sunburn. Having an SPF value of 30 is critical to ensuring adequate protection in the sun.
Let’s review some common sunscreen myths and facts.
Higher SPF = More Protection… MYTH!
Using simple math, most of us figure that SPF 30 is twice as effective as SPF 15, right? Wrong!
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, SPF 30 blocks about 97% of the sun’s UVB rays. Higher-number SPFs block slightly more UVB rays, but no sunscreen can block 100% of UVB rays.
With that said, I recommend wearing sunscreen with an SPF 30 or greater. In addition, don’t make the mistake of thinking that a higher SPF means your sunscreen will last longer. High SPFs allow you the same amount of time in the sun as lower SPFs, and both must be reapplied every two hours, as well as after swimming or sweating.
The FDA also notes that no sunscreen is truly “waterproof.” If a sunscreen is labeled water resistant, the label should tell you whether it remains effective for 40 or 80 minutes while swimming or sweating.
Antioxidants Work With My Sunscreen to Increase Sun Protection… FACT!
Antioxidant serums, like SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, help neutralize free radicals induced by UVA/UVB, infrared radiation, and ozone pollution — all of which can lead to premature aging in the form of wrinkles, brown spots, and loss of elasticity. Bye-bye, collagen!
When you layer a sunscreen over the top of an antioxidant, you are providing your skin with a more complete daily defense routine. Antioxidants are not a replacement for sunscreen, but they are a great way to support your skin against environmental stress.
If you’re not sure which antioxidant, SPF, or skincare routine is best for your skin, a customized facial in Fort Collins can help. At Facetté, our facial treatments are customized based on your skin’s needs, including concerns like discoloration, acne, aging, hydration, texture, and tone.
A Base Tan or Spray Tan Will Protect Me From Burning… MYTH!
A base tan or spray tan does not provide real sun protection. A base tan can provide, at most, about an SPF 3 or 4, which is not nearly enough protection for your skin.
So, if you normally burn within 15 minutes, an SPF 4 would give you around an hour outside before you burn. I’m definitely at my sons’ baseball game longer than an hour. Most outdoor activities are longer than an hour.
Your body creates melanin, the brown pigment in a tan, as a way to protect your DNA against radiation. So a tan is actually a stress response — your body’s way of telling you that you need to get out of the sun or at least slather on some sunscreen!
The Skin Cancer Foundation explains that tanning is a sign of skin damage and that there is no such thing as a safe or healthy tan. If you want a bronzed look, a sunless tanner is a safer option, but you still need sunscreen.
Darker Skin Tones Don’t Need Sunscreen… MYTH!
No matter your Fitzpatrick skin type, ultraviolet radiation can damage your skin. Although it’s true that darker skin tones produce more melanin and therefore tend to have less visible sun damage than lighter skin tones, this does not mean they cannot develop skin cancer or experience premature aging.
Sun exposure can also contribute to hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and uneven tone, especially in skin that is already prone to discoloration. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that tinted sunscreens can be especially helpful for protecting against visible light, which can worsen hyperpigmentation for some people.
Not All Infrared Is Bad… FACT!
Low level, partial spectrum infrared can actually support collagen production, leading to skin with less visible wrinkles and more elasticity. We recommend our LightStim LED Therapy treatments, which use beneficial, UV-free light to support circulation and overall skin and body wellness when used regularly.
On the other hand, full-spectrum infrared and uncontrolled sun exposure can contribute to hyperpigmentation and skin damage. This is why we recommend using a high-quality broad-spectrum sunscreen daily, like SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50.
Professional light-based treatments are not the same as tanning, sunbathing, or unprotected UV exposure. They are controlled treatments used in a professional setting, and sunscreen is still essential for protecting your skin and maintaining your results.
Sunscreen Causes Vitamin D Deficiency… MYTH!
UV radiation allows the body to create vitamin D, and some have suggested that sunscreen use makes it difficult to obtain adequate amounts of vitamin D.
The fact is that real-life sunscreen use has not been shown to cause vitamin D deficiency in healthy people. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends getting vitamin D safely through foods, fortified foods, and supplements rather than intentional unprotected UV exposure.
If you are concerned about your vitamin D levels, talk with your healthcare provider. You do not need to skip sunscreen or intentionally burn your skin to support your vitamin D needs.
Chemical Sunscreen and Physical Sunscreen Are the Same… MYTH!
Both chemical and physical sunscreens can be effective, but they work a little differently.
Physical sunscreens, also called mineral sunscreens, usually contain zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or both. These are often a great option for sensitive skin, post-treatment skin, or anyone who prefers a mineral-based formula.
Chemical sunscreens use different active ingredients to absorb UV rays before they damage the skin. These formulas are often lightweight and can feel more invisible on the skin.
The best sunscreen is the one you will actually wear consistently. If it feels too heavy, breaks you out, leaves a cast, or pills under makeup, you probably won’t use it enough. That’s why finding the right formula for your skin matters.
Sunscreen Is Only for Summer… MYTH!
Sunscreen should not be reserved for pool days, vacations, or summer months. UV rays can still reach your skin on cloudy days, during colder months, while driving, and even when you’re sitting near windows.
This is especially important in Colorado, where higher elevation and outdoor activities can increase UV exposure. Snow, sand, and water can also reflect UV rays, increasing your chance of sunburn.
Whether you are hiking, skiing, walking your dog, sitting on a patio, or heading to your kids’ sports games, sunscreen should be part of your daily skincare routine.
How to Choose the Best Sunscreen for Your Skin
While there’s no single product that’s perfect for all people, using sunscreen is one of the best ways to help protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
- If your skin is dry, look for a creamier sunscreen or one with hydrating ingredients.
- If your skin is oily or acne-prone, look for lightweight, non-comedogenic formulas.
- If your skin is sensitive, a mineral sunscreen may be a good place to start.
- If you struggle with discoloration, dark spots, or melasma, a tinted broad-spectrum sunscreen may be especially helpful.
- If you are outside often, choose a water-resistant formula and reapply often.
- If you wear makeup, choose a sunscreen that layers well underneath your products, and consider powder or mist SPF for easier reapplication throughout the day.
Protecting Your Skin After Professional Treatments
Daily sunscreen is especially important if you are investing in professional skincare treatments. Treatments like customized facials, chemical peels, and IPL photofacials are designed to improve the appearance of your skin, but sun exposure can work against those results.
If you are working on discoloration, dullness, uneven tone, texture, or signs of aging, sunscreen is one of the most important products in your routine. It helps protect your progress and prevents new damage from showing up.
The Bottom Line
While there’s no single product that’s perfect for all people, using sunscreen is one of the best ways to help protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays. If you’re planning to have fun in the sun this summer, get to know the sunscreen that’s best for your skin, and reapply, reapply, reapply!
Sunscreen should be broad spectrum, SPF 30 or higher, and reapplied every two hours when outdoors. It works best when paired with shade, protective clothing, sunglasses, and avoiding tanning beds.
If you need help finding the right skincare routine for your skin, schedule a customized facial at Facetté Medical Spa in Fort Collins. Our team can assess your skin, talk through your concerns, and help you choose products and treatments that support healthier, more protected skin.
