Why Sunblocks Are Super Important!
Dr. Laila Hassan is an Aesthetic Physician. She’s also a laser therapist and an anti‐aging expert for the last ten years.
Sunscreen and sunblock or sunscreen, is a photoprotective topical product for the skin that mainly absorbs, or to a much lesser extent reflects, some of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation and thus helps protect against sunburn and most importantly prevent skin cancer. Sunblock is so named because it literally blocks UV rays by forming a physical shield, while a sunscreen contains chemicals that absorb UV rays before your skin can. Sunscreen and sunblock also have different application methods. Because sunscreen only works when it’s absorbed by the skin, it needs to be rubbed and it should be used every day. The best practice is to apply 30 minutes before venturing outside to allow the sunscreen to bind to your skin. Reapply every two hours of exposure and immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.
You should be applying sunscreen to your bare skin. This includes your neck, face, ears, tops of your feet and legs. For hard‐to‐reach areas like your back, ask someone to help you or use a spray sunscreen. If you have thinning hair, either apply sunscreen to your scalp or wear a wide‐brimmed hat. Also be sure to wash your face. For maximum protection, sunscreen should be applied directly to the skin. Wash using your favorite facial cleanser to remove makeup and oil that could prevent the sunscreen from sticking properly. Then, pat your skin dry.
What about the products you apply before your sunscreen? Just follow your normal skin care routine (cleanser, toner, exfoliant, etc.) and consider adding an antioxidant serum. Which comes first: moisturizer or sunblock? If you’re using a chemical sunscreen, it needs to be applied first. This is because chemical sunscreen needs to penetrate the skin in order to provide protection. However, if you’re using a physical sunscreen (also known as mineral sunscreen), sunscreen should be applied after moisturizer. Remember the sun still emits UV rays outside of peak daylight hours, even as early as 6-8 a.m. and as late as 4-6 p.m. That means you still need to wear sunscreen in the early morning and evening hours to protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun
For now, if you are concerned about health effects, the safest choice is a so-called “mineral” or “physical” sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, dermatologists say. Those are only sunscreen ingredients that the FDA says are “generally recognized as safe and effective.” A sunscreen with SPF 30 will protect you from around 96.7% of UVB rays, whereas an SPF of 50 means protection from about 98% of UVB rays. Anything beyond SPF 50 makes very little difference in terms of risk of sun damage, and no sunscreens offer 100% protection from UVB rays.How much amount to put ? For most people, experts suggest putting one ounce of sunscreen on your entire body, or enough to fill one shot glass. Then, add . 04 ounces of sunscreen on your face. Water based sunscreen usually indicates that its formulation features water as its first ingredient. Aside from its ultra-lightweight texture, water based sunscreen leaves a non-oily and greasy finish, making it ideal for those with oily and acne-prone skin types. Oil based sunblocks absorb quickly into your skin. They defend from UV rays, and they typically leave behind a nice, shimmery glow.They are good for dry and rough skin.
