Spring is upon us and the time to be spending time enjoy the sunshine outdoors is also here! But as great as it is to bask in the sun and work on that tan, the sun can do a lot of damage to the skin that’s definitely not worth it. Your mom wasn’t just telling you to wear your sunscreen at the beach because she’s a buzz kill who hates a good tan. She was 100% looking out for you. But what’s the actual deal with sunscreen? Is it really that bad to get some rays from the sun?
Today, let’s talk about what sunscreen is, how it works, and why it’s so important to put on your skin EVERY DAY!
How does sunscreen work?
Sunscreen seems like this magic shield that you slather on your body and just like witchcraft you’re protected from the sun, but there actually is a science behind how sunscreen works!
Inorganic chemicals such as zinc oxide and titanium oxide reflect UV rays while organic chemicals like octyl methoxycinnamate and oxybenzone absorb UV radiation (from UVA and UVB rays) through chemical bonds. As these rays are absorbed, the sun screen breaks down and releases heat. This is why sunscreen doesn’t last all day.
What is SPF?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, which basically means how well protected you will be from the burning rays of the sun (Also called UVB rays) and extremely damaging UVA rays (the ones that penetrate deeper into the skin and cause skin damage). Both types of rays can lead to skin cancer. Sunscreens labeled “broad spectrum” protect against both UVA and UVB rays.
The higher the SPF number, the better protected you are. And SPF of 15 will protect you against about 93% of rays, and 30 can protect from about 97%. Nothing is said to protect against 100% of rays, but professionals recommend using a minimum of SPF 30 in almost all cases.
Who should wear sunscreen?
Everyone should wear sunscreen! If you’re going to go out in the sun, even just for ten minutes, you should apply sunscreen first! And if you’re going to be outside for an extended amount of time, you should reapply every 1-2 hours, especially if you feel like you can feel your skin beginning to grow warm. That means you probably aren’t well protected anymore!
But don’t I need vitamin D?
Sure, you’ve probably heard that the sun can give you a healthy dose of vitamin D that your body needs to function properly. But in reality, you can get a healthy amount of vitamin D in your body by diet alone. And if you’re not, talk to your doctor about adding in a vitamin D supplement to your diet. There’s no need to expose yourself to harmful UV rays just to get a little vitamin boost.
Should I wear sunscreen every day?
Yes. Despite how tan you want to become for the summer, leaving your skin unprotected is doing more harm than looking tan is doing good. Prolonged sun exposure can cause permanent sun damage.
So when trying to convince you that you should be applying sunscreen, let’s first talk about what a sunburn can do to you. First of all, even though a sunburn eventually goes away, it can actually do permanent damage to cells and blood vessels. Studies have shown that sunburn can cause skin to become dry, wrinkled, and permanently discolored. So that beautiful tan you’re trying to get is going to turn into a permanent dark spot if you aren’t careful. And not to mention that it could possible turn into skin cancer, which although curable can lead to permanent scars and permanent discoloration. Plus, treatment can be long and expensive.
But what if the skin doesn’t burn? Long term exposure to the sun can also cause damage to your skin. In fact, sun exposure can actually speed up the aging process. You know all those women who you see who still look 30 years younger than they actually are? They probably used a lot of sunscreen to protect their skin (and a good moisturizer). Similarly, sunscreen can help keep your skin tone even and helps to prevent facial brown spots and skin discoloration (which is all the reason I need to wear sunscreen. No more freckles please!).
And let’s be honest here guys. We haven’t been very nice to our planet. Our ozone layer, which has protected us from the harmful rays of the sun, is getting thinner and thinner. And with that, our time going outside without being exposed to damaging rays is being depleted. Even when the sky is overcast, we’re being exposed to harmful rays from the sun. Now’s the time to start taking precaution when going outside. Put your body first and put some protection on your skin.
What if you want to tan? You absolutely can work on getting a tan and be healthy. Using a sunscreen of SPF 30 can allow some rays to tan your skin while protecting you from most of the harmful rays. Just make sure you reapply at least every 2 hours to make sure you are fully protected. Remember, your skins health is more important than how tan you can get.
Are you a sunscreen user? Let me tell you, since I’ve started noticing more and more freckles appear on my skin, I’ve started adding sunscreen into my daily routine (at least on my face), even if I’m just going to work inside. You never know when you’re going to be exposed to harmful rays! And I definitely put sunscreen on before every run I go on!
Let me know in the comments below if you use sunscreen every day or if you’re going to start. I definitely think it’s time we all start making sure we’re taking care of ourselves!
Until next time,
Kat
Sources and further reading:
American Academy of Dermatology. Sunscreen FAQs. https://www.aad.org/media/stats/prevention-and-care/sunscreen-faqs
Cleveland Clinic. Sun Damage: Protecting Yourself. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/5240-sun-damage-protecting-yourself
Everyday Mysteries. How does Sunscreen work? https://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/sunscreen.html
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