SUN SAFETY🌞
Sunscreen - Protect Your Skin From the Sun

What is sunscreen?

Sunscreen, also known as sunblock or suntan lotion, is a photoprotective topical product for the skin that absorbs or reflects some of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation and thus helps protect against sunburn and most importantly prevent skin cancer. Sunscreens come as lotions, sprays, gels, foams (such as an expanded foam lotion or whipped lotion), sticks, powders and other topical products. Sunscreens are common supplements to clothing, particularly sunglasses, sunhats and special sun protective clothing, and other forms of photoprotection (e.g. umbrellas, etc.).

Ancient Egyptians used rice, jasmine, and lupine extracts to protect their skin from the sun. Other ancient civilizations followed with their own natural remedies, such as the olive oil used by Greeks and the pine needles or sunflower oil used by Native Americans.

What is UV radiation?

UV radiation is part of the natural energy produced by the sun. On the electromagnetic spectrum, UV light has shorter wavelengths than visible light, so your eyes can’t see UV, but your skin can feel it. Tanning beds also emit UV radiation.

UV radiation is divided into 3 main groups:

UVA rays have the least energy among UV rays. These rays can cause skin cells to age and can cause some indirect damage to cells’ DNA. UVA rays are mainly linked to long-term skin damage such as wrinkles, but they are also thought to play a role in some skin cancers.
UVB rays have slightly more energy than UVA rays. They can damage the DNA in skin cells directly, and are the main rays that cause sunburns. They are also thought to cause most skin cancers.
UVC rays strong have more energy than the other types of UV rays. Fortunately, because of this, they react with ozone high in our atmosphere and don’t reach the ground, so they are not normally a risk factor for skin cancer. But UVC rays can also come from some man-made sources, such as arc welding torches, mercury lamps, and UV sanitizing bulbs used to kill bacteria and other germs (such as in water, air, food, or on surfaces).

Can Ultraviolet Nail Salon Lamps Give You Skin Cancer?
A 2020 review of literature related to the incidence of skin cancer on the hands and nails of young adults (those under 40) found that “there is little to no carcinogenic risk inherent with UV gel manicures.”
Learn more

The Benefits of Sunscreen

Reduce the Signs of Aging
If you want to reduce the signs of aging, then make sunscreen your friend. Going out in the sun without protection can damage the collagen and connective tissues of your skin — and that means you can lose elasticity and gain wrinkles.
Limit the Appearance of Sunspots
Being exposed to the sun’s UV rays can also cause sunspots (also known as “age spots” or “liver spots”), which is a culprit in increasing the look of aging. Sunspots are caused by hyperpigmentation of the skin and are typically flat areas of discolored skin that can be different shades of brown.
Protect the Skin from Sunburn
Too much sun exposure or exposure to UV light (such as tanning beds), without protection, could result in a painful burn. With repeated sun exposure and no protection, you could see increased sunspots and skin damage. Sunburn can also increase the risk of developing skin cancer. A sunburn typically takes a few days or longer to heal, so it’s critical to always wear sunscreen, even on cooler, cloudy days.
Reduce the Risk of Skin Cancer
One of the best ways to reduce the risk of skin cancer is to wear sunscreen. The Centers For Disease Control (CDC) recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15, but the higher the number, the better the UV protection.
Avoid Broken Blood Vessels
Also known as telangiectasias, UV rays can damage the skin's blood vessel walls, thus causing them to thin. The thinning of blood vessels leaves the appearance of bruising or bleeding.

Sunscreen and Vitamin D
Studies have never found that everyday sunscreen use leads to vitamin D insufficiency. In fact, people who use sunscreen daily can maintain their vitamin D levels.
Learn more

Types of suncreen

There are two types of sunscreen:

Chemical Sunscreen
This type of sunscreen is absorbing. It absorbs UV rays and then neutralizes them, releasing heat. Sensitive skin types may find this formulation to be bothersome or irritating on their skin. It also takes a few minutes for it to work, about 15-20 minutes.
Some chemical sunscreen ingredients include: Avobenzone (Parsol 1789), Octinoxate, Octisalate, Octocrylene, Oxybenzone, Ecamsule (Mexoryl), Homosalate, Padimate A, Padimate O
Physical (Mineral) Sunscreen
This type of sunscreen is reflecting. It reflects the rays away from the skin, imagine a barrier or a shield over your skin when you apply a physical sunscreen.This is great for sensitive skin types and babies as it is less irritating and the most effective. Works immediately upon application. However, it can feel thick and often leaves a white cast.
Physical Sunscreen ingredients: Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide (both FDA approved)

There are some companies that mix chemical sunscreen ingredients with some physical sunscreen ingredients to create a formula with an easier application. Mixing it will have a lighter consistency thanks to chemical sunscreen ingredients and less irritating thanks to the physical sunscreen ingredients. It will also help screen a larger portion of the spectrum if chemists mix ingredients since some chemical sunscreen ingredients only screen either UVA or UVB.

How to apply?

Apply 15 minutes before you go outside. This allows the sunscreen to have enough time to provide the maximum benefit.
Use enough to cover your entire face and body (avoiding the eyes and mouth). An average-sized adult or child needs at least one ounce of sunscreen (about the amount it takes to fill a shot glass) to evenly cover the body from head to toe.
Know your skin. Fair-skinned people are likely to absorb more solar energy than dark-skinned people under the same conditions.
Reapply at least every two hours, and more often if you’re swimming or sweating.

Waterproof sunscreen do not exist
People should also be aware that no sunscreens are "waterproof.” All sunscreens eventually wash off. Sunscreens labeled "water resistant" are required to be tested according to the required SPF test procedure. The labels are required to state whether the sunscreen remains effective for 40 minutes or 80 minutes when swimming or sweating, and all sunscreens must provide directions on when to reapply.