Importance of Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a vital component of our daily skincare routine. It acts as armour against all the damaging influences of ultraviolet (UV) beams in guarding the sensitive facial area.

Although this is the importance of sunscreen use, myths and misconceptions still swirl around the practice leading to confusion and in certain cases non-utilization of the product.

So through this blog I just want to clear this common myth about sunscreen and put some facts that make you realize sunscreen is as important in maintaining skin health.

How does UV Radiation Work?

 The sun emits several forms of ultraviolet rays that can affect the earth’s surface, but there are two basic types responsible for most damage: UVA and UVB. UVA rays go right into the dermis of our skin and are mostly responsible for premature ageing such as wrinkles; UVB is to blame for sunburn, but it also plays a significant part in developing skin cancer.

Both types of UV radiation are capable of damaging the DNA in skin cells, causing mutations and raising one’s risk of developing skin cancer. 

How Sunscreen Works?

To protect the skin, sunscreen either uses chemical or physical blockers. “Chemical sunscreens: These absorb UV radiation via their chemical bonds and effectively change this radiation into heat. “Physical sunscreens: With ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, they reflect and scatter UV radiation away from the skin.” All of these types can be effective and the preference for one type over another often varies, depending on personal taste as well as skin difference.

Common Myths And Facts About Sunscreen

Myth 1: Sunscreen is essential only on sunny days

UV rays can penetrate clouds, so there’s still the chance you could get burnt on an overcast day. Even if it is cloudy, the clouds allow up to 80% of UV rays to pass through. Therefore, sunscreen is necessary no matter how bad the weather outbreaks. On top of that, UV rays can also bounce off surfaces such as water, sand and snow — meaning exposure is greater than you might think even when it’s not sunny.

Myth 2: Those with Darker Skin Tones Do Not Require Sunscreen

Truth: Melanin does offer some protection against UV radiation but dark skin still isn’t immune to sun damage. The harmful effects of ultraviolet rays on the skin, leading to skin cancer and photoaging, can affect everyone irrespective of their complexion.

Hyperpigmentation is another issue, one that dark-skinned people like me may be more prone to upon sun exposure. (In my case, without ever lounging around poolside in SPF 30.)

Myth 3 – Sunscreen causes vitamin D deficiency.

Fact: Sunblock will decrease the skin’s production of vitamin D but it does not cause a deficiency. Diet and occasional exposure to sunlight provide adequate vitamin D for most people. If you are concerned about your vitamin D levels, dietary sources and supplements along with the use of sunscreen can help keep your vitamin D levels at optimal points without exposing yourself to UV rays.

Myth 4: A Higher SPF Means Better Protection

True: SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor — emphasis on the B, which means it only measures protection against UVB rays and not UVA. An SPF 30 sunscreen would block about 97% of UVB rays; an SPF 50 sunscreen blocks about 98%. There is only a marginal increase in performance above SPF 30. “A higher SPF is far less important than using it correctly and reapplying at least every two hours (or more frequently when swimming or sweating),” Fayne L. Frey, MD, of Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery Ltd. in New Jersey, told US News and World Report.

Myth 5: Sunscreen only needs to be applied once during the day.

Fact: Sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours, and also directly after swimming, sweating or towel drying. These activities, along with the natural oils and sweat created by your skin can rub off sunscreen or reduce its ability to protect you throughout the day.

Myth 6: You need sunscreen only on the exposed areas of your skin

Fact: UV radiation can pass through clothing, even if clothes are wet or dry. If you’re going to be outside in the sun for a long period, why not offer your skin some extra protection by wearing sunscreen under your clothing too? There is also special UV-protective clothing made for those who spend a lot of in the sun.

Always reapply sunscreen. If you’re going to be outside for long periods, it’s best to apply a light layer every 2 hours or so!

Importance of Sunscreen

  • Preventing Skin Cancer

Waiting 7 months to a year for skin cancers that have already given you problems doesn’t seem like too much but is terminal if it’s melanoma, the deadliest form of this cancer. Generally, we need at least one more surgery and more extensive medical care than could have been avoided through regular use of sunscreen alone Human skin cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancy types worldwide, and UV radiation is its primary cause. “We know that daily sunscreen use reduces the risk of melanoma by about 50%,” she said.

  • Preventing Premature Aging

Sunscreen also protects the skin from photoaging, which is characterized by premature ageing of the skin due to continuous exposure to UV radiation. The symptoms of photoaging are wrinkles, fine lines and skin loss its elasticity. UVA rays, the type of radiation that penetrates deeper into your skin to cause these changes Using sunscreen regularly keeps the skin away from this harmful ageing factor in turn helps to get a younger version of you.

  • Maintaining Even Skin Tone

Protection from the sun: The Sun is undoubtedly good for the body but not when it causes the appearance of hyper-pigmented skin. The major faults that would result from prolonged exposure are age spots and melasma. This leads to dark discolored patches of your skin, which are often quite hard to get rid of. Sunscreen can act as a saviour to preclude all these pigmentation problems by providing protection from UV rays and reducing melanin production.

Choosing the Right Sunscreen

  • Broad-Spectrum Protection

Make sure your sunscreen is ‘broad-spectrum’ – this means it will protect against UVA and UVB rays. “This would provide an extensive protection from incidence of all types of UV radiation. “According to me, we should go for this only.”

  • Appropriate SPF

The most common recommendation for everyday use is SPF 30. “Perhaps, if you’re going to be outside for an extended period, like a day at the beach or hiking,” she adds. ‘The correct way to apply and reapply is more important than the number itself’ she said.

  • Water-Resistant Formulas

If the activity involves being in water or in heavy sweating, choose a waterproof sunscreen These formulations give protection for a longer duration especially if you are likely to lose your sunscreen in such conditions repeatedly.

How to Use Sunscreen Effectively:

  • Apply Generously

the fact: a lot of people don’t put on adequate sunscreen to accomplish the safety explained on the package. The average adult needs to apply approximately one ounce ( a shot glass full) of sunscreen to cover the areas of their body exposed. make sure it’s evenly and heavily applied.

  • Commonly missed areas

Plus, there are some parts of the body that I’m sure you often forget to rub with sunscreen. But we don’t recommend that you neglect your ears, the back of your neck, and scalp (especially if you have thinning hair or a part), the tops of your feet or the backs of your hands. Use a lip balm with SPF to help protect your lips from sun damage.

I would say that just add applying sunscreen to your daily chores like brushing your teeth. Adding it in as the final step of your morning skincare routine guarantees that you get this protection daily ⁠ and not just when you intend to be outdoors!

Conclusion

I know that sounds cliché, but in all seriousness: sunscreen! It’s how our skin protects itself from all of the negative effects UV exposure has on it, including but not limited to causing skin cancer, premature ageing and hyperpigmentation.

Therefore, refuting a few popular myths and knowing the details about its application can help us make smart decisions and use sunscreen to achieve a better shield from sun damage in our daily routine. Your best analogy might be to think of sunscreen as the tractor going over and ploughing through the harmful UV rays, to save what is supposed to be a fertile field (your skin) behind. Keep in mind that the best sunscreen is one you will use.

Now, that is not to say there isn’t something out there for you. You will just need to try a lot of different things until something sticks. Just go find your product (or products) and put it on every single day. Smoothen the skin now, and thank us later.