Your Personal Guide to Sun Protection
Shopping for the best sun screen for your skin type and lifestyle can be daunting when there are hundreds available, but which one is right for you? You may ask yourself what ingredients do I need to look for, when should I apply and reapply and what am I actually doing to my skin when outdoors. We have your answers to questions you may have about sun protection.
Effects of UV Radiation
UVA & UVB can cause skin damage such as wrinkles, lowered immunity against infection, brown spots, cancer and other aging skin disorders. UV radiation causes collagen break down faster than chronologically aging. Enzymes in the skin are affected by UV radiation and inhibit the repair of DNA. When skin is exposed to sunlight chemicals are released that suppress immune protection.
“34% of women say they never wear sunscreen”
Allure
What happens when you tan?
- UV rays trigger free radicals that harm skin cells.
- In as little as 20 minutes (for pale skin), intense sun rays can set off a wound healing response.
- Body sends immune cells and blood to the skin, causing inflammation, redness or a sunburn.
“Up to 40 percent of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation reaches the
earth on a completely cloudy day.”
SkinCancer.org
Do all sunscreens protect against UV radiation the same?
No, some protect only against one type of UV radiation and some protect against UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays. Sunscreens that protect against both UVA and UVB rays are considered “broad spectrum” sunscreens, which are recommended for everyone. Sunscreens must be worn during the whole year. Even in the winter it is necessary, there is no safe time for UV radiation. Many people make the mistake of relying only on makeup or moisturizers as a substitute for their sun protection. It is just not enough to protect the skin. Using these products in conjunction with a sunscreen is ideal. Usually a SPF 30-35 sunscreen will suffice to prevent sunburn. People tend to forget to reapply if they are using a higher SPF and in some cases higher SPF’s can be aggravating to the skin depending on the formula.
“About one ounce (5-6 teaspoons) should be applied to entire body about every 2 hours during prolonged exposure, swimming or heavy perspiration.”
Three types of UV radiation:
· UVA radiation is a major contributor to skin damage. UVA penetrates deeper into the skin and the intensity is more constant than UVB. UVA is not filtered through glass so when driving protection is very important.
· UVB rays are partially absorbed by the ozone and have medium wavelengths that affect the outer layer of the skin and are primarily responsible for sunburns. It is the most intense between 10am and 2pm when the sunlight is the brightest. A person normally gets 70% of their UVB radiation during summer months. UVB does not penetrate through glass.
· UVC radiation has the shortest wave length and is almost completely absorbed in the ozone layer.
Sun Protection Factor and Measuring Effectiveness
SPF is an abbreviation for sun protection factor, a number that tells us how long the sunscreen is effective on the skin. A user can figure out the effectiveness by multiplying the SPF number by the length of time it takes for the user to sunburn without sunscreen. For example if you are going to use SPF 30 and it takes you 10 minutes to sunburn multiply 10 by 30 you will have protection for about 300 minutes.
How to Use your Sun Screen
A common mistake in the application of SPF happens when too little is applied making the protection less effective. About one ounce (5-6 teaspoons) should be applied to entire body about every 2 hours during prolonged exposure, swimming or heavy perspiration. Sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before going outdoors. People who have sensitive skin should use sunscreens with a SPF 30 or higher.
Use water-resistant sunscreen if you work outside or will be outdoors for a while. You need a stronger sun screen that will stay on the skin longer. Water-resistant sun screens may not be good for everyday wear because they are stickier and may not go as well under makeup as lighter ones.
Babies 6 months or younger should not wear sunscreen because their skin may not be able to tolerate the chemicals in the product. Everyone 6 months and older should wear a sunscreen everyday unless their doctor tells them to protect in another way.
Other Ways to Protect Against the Sun
· Wear glasses that were labeled 100% UV radiation protection at time of purchase.
· Use light colored, tightly woven clothing and wide brimmed hats.
· The powerful antioxidant Topical Vitamin C should be used daily to help the skin recover and repair the skin by neutralizing the remaining UV induced free radical damage.
· Apply makeup and/or moisturizers with sun protection.
Ingredients to Look For:
- Zinc Oxide
- Octinoxate
- Titanium Dioxide
- Avobenzone
- Mexoryl
Recommended Sun Screens:
FOR ALL SKIN TYPES
Obagi NuDerm Healthy Skin Protection SPF 35
Light Daily Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen
For All Skin Types
A sunscreen with 9% micronized zinc oxide and 7.5% octinoxate that helps to protect newly transformed, younger looking skin. Obagi Healthy Skin Protection SPF 35 is formulated with ultra-smooth Z-Cote® to helps prevent sunburn from UVB radiation and protects against long-UVA rays linked to deep premature skin-aging. Apply every morning as part of the Nu-Derm Skin Health Restoration System.
Active Ingredients: Oxtinoxate 7.5%, Zinc Oxide 9.0%
Obagi CRx System C-Sungaurd SPF 30
Ultra Sheer Daily Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen that protects skin radiance
For All Skin types
Obagi CRx System C-Sungaurd SPF 30 is formulated with ultra sheer Z-cote, an effective barrier that provides a superior measure of sun protection from UVB damage and against long UVA rays linked to premature aging of the skin.
Active Ingredients: Oxtinoxate 7.5%, Zinc Oxide 9.0%
Actifirm Sun Stop SPF 35 Plus
Daily Anti-Aging Water-Resistant Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen, 51% Organic
For All Skin Types
Sun Stop SPF 35+ sunscreen uses transparent Zinc Oxide (Z-Clear™) the ultimate barrier against UVA and UVB damaging rays. The transparent application allows for an easy and smooth blend into the skin that won’t compromise makeup. Japanese Green Tea soothes the skin, while the natural ingredients of Grapefruit, Cranberry, Pomegranate and Rosemary work together as antioxidants to combat wrinkle-causing free radicals.
- Transparent application allows for a quick and easy blend.
- Allows for full sun protection without the heavy white residue.
- Pomegranate, one of the most powerful antioxidants, protects skin from free radical damage.
- Non-greasy, water resistant, fragrance-free formula.
SENSITIVE, ROSACEA & POST PROCEDURE
Obagi RosaClear Balancing Sun Protection SPF 30
Tinted Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen that Reduces Redness and Blotchiness
Especially For Sensitive Skin – Can be used on All Skin Types
Obagi RosaClear Balancing Sun Protection SPF 30 is a non-comedogenic, chemical-free, tinted UVA/UVB Broad spectrum sun screen, which easily blends. RosaClear contains reflective agents that reducethe appearance of redness and blotchiness.
Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 15.5%, Titanium Dioxide 2.0%.
Skin Medica Environmental Defense Sunscreen SPF30 +
Daily Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen
For Sensitive, Post Procedure and Extended Sun Exposed Skin
This state-of-the-art sunscreen product formulation offers skin the ultimate defense against ultra violet (UV) rays, environmental pollutants and free radical damage. Our SPF 30+ offers antioxidant protection as well as octinoxate and Z-cote® Max™. Z-cote Max offers the next generation of micronized zinc oxide and provides broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection.
Active Ingredients: Parsol MCX (Oxtinoxate), Z-Cote (Micronized Zinc Oxide)
MOISTURIZER WITH SPF
Skin Medica TNS Ultimate Moisturizer with SPF 20
Light Daily Moisturizer with Broad-Spectrum SPF 20
For Normal, Combination or Dry Skin
TNS Ultimate Daily Moisturizer + SPF 20 is the ultimate in fighting environmental aggressors from the inside out. Enriched with natural antioxidants this moisturizing formula guards against the destructive effects of free radicals and shields your skin against the sun’s harmful rays with full spectrum UVA/UVB protection. Provides broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection with Z-COTE® Max™ and Parsol® MCX
Active Ingredients: Oxtinoxate 7.5%, Zinc Oxide 5.0%
AFTER SUN CARE
Actifirm Hot Stop After Sun Quencher
Daily Soothing and Calming Formula – After Sun Care
For Irritated or Dry Skin or After Exfoliation
Some find Hot Stop is a great addition to their regular daily skin care regime as it contains a potent antioxidant complex of botanical extracts including aloe, grapefruit, papaya, mango, pomegranate, banana, passion fruit, pineapple, watermelon, cranberry, cucumber and Japanese green tea , plus our patented mushroom extract to soothe and calm your irritated skin. Fast absorbing, this potent 4-in-1 formula gently soothes and helps to calm your skin while delivering much needed moisture and hydration. For extra benefit, use after exfoliation to keep your skin moist and supple.
Contact The Spa at Willow Bend to speak to a Skin Specialist about the right sun screen for your skin type.
References:
Medicinenet.com
Dermatology.about.com
Skincancer.org
