6 Tips from a Skin Care Expert on the Best Sunscreen Practices!
Summer skin care mostly comes down to one main thing: protection! As simple as this seems many are still confused on how to properly protect their skin from the damaging effects of the sun. Using sunscreen incorrectly leaves you at risk of burning in the short term and wrinkling in the long term. Keep your skin glowing and radiant by avoiding these summer sunscreen slip-ups.
#1 Not Applying Enough Sunscreen
Fix: To benefit from the SPF (sun protection factor) a sunscreen promises, you need to apply an ample amount. The rule of thumb is a quarter-sized amount of sunscreen to protect your face and neck. When wearing a bathing suit, you’ll need at least a golf ball sized amount of sunscreen. If you’re wearing shorts or a dress instead of a swimsuit, then you’ll need about a tablespoon depending on your size. We prefer lotions versus sprays to ensure proper coverage and avoid the dreaded missed spots. If you use a spray, make sure to spray twice and use your hands to rub it in.
#2 Not Reapplying
Fix: Even the highest SPF will only protect you for a maximum of two hours depending on your skin tone. An SPF 100 doesn’t protect your skin any longer or better than an SPF 50. Reapplication is the key! Swimming, perspiring, friction and time will diminish your sunscreen’s protective abilities more rapidly. Reapplication should happen more frequently when participating in sports or water activities. A great hack is to set a reapplication reminder on your phone when you’re going to be enjoying a sunny day.
#3 Applying Sunscreen Outdoors
Fix: Sunscreen needs a minimum of 15 to 30 minutes to be absorbed into the skin so that it can provide the maximum photo-protection. Applying it outdoors exposes your skin to harmful Ultraviolet rays before your SPF has a chance to work. In a perfect world, sunscreen would be applied to an unclothed body a minimum of 30 minutes prior to sun exposure. Allow product to dry completely as all sunscreens stain fabric, especially the tinted ones.
#4 Not Using SPF on a Cool, Rainy, or Cloudy Day
Fix: If there is any light at all outside, you should be wearing sunscreen! There are three types of ultraviolet rays: A, B, and C.
Ultraviolet A rays are present from sun up until sundown and can penetrate through glass, thin clothing, and cloud coverage. Remember that Ultraviolet A rays are responsible for 80-99% percent of skin aging!
Ultraviolet B rays are present between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and are most commonly referred to as the burning rays. Ultraviolet B rays cause painful sunburns, blistering, and blood toxicity due to the high number of free radicals that the body generates in response to exposure.
Ultraviolet C rays, known as cancer-causing rays are also present from sun-up until sundown and contribute to skin cancer and abnormal lesions. Remember that over 80% of all rays penetrate through clouds and UV radiation is invisible.
#5 Depending Solely on Sunscreen for Protection
Fix: Sunscreen is only part of a complete sun protection plan. Protective clothing, a wide brimmed hat (at least 4-6 inches, no baseball caps), and large sunglasses should be used as part of your summer sun regimen. If possible, stay out of the sun (or at least hang out mostly in the shade) during the peak hours of 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. when you’re most likely to get burned!
#6 Assuming You Can Spend All Day Outdoors as Long as You’re Wearing SPF
Fix: SPF (sun protection factor) is determined by how much natural protection a person has. For example, an SPF 30 will provide a person 30 times more protection than what their natural protection is. Skin tone plays a huge in role in determining someone natural SPF. Though not prone to burning, medium to dark skin tones still need to use SPF to prevent extrinsic aging, pigmentation and skin cancers. The best choice for long days in the sun is to try and limit exposure as much as possible. Remember that regardless of skin tone, taking breaks in the shade and covering up periodically are a must!
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