SPF for everyone!

“The Sun will rise and set regardless. What we choose to do with the light while it’s here is up to us. Journey wisely.” Alexandra Elle

To sunscreen or not to sunscreen. Let’s be clear: that’s NOT a question.

Sunscreen should be worn year round to prevent sun damage. Period. Of course, mention ‘sun damage’ and the first culprit that springs to mind is skin cancer – a serious risk. But there are many other issues that arise from unprotected skin.

First there’s a significant increase in wrinkles and the appearance of dry, leathery skin since UV light damages both Collagen and Elastin. Not good. Then there’s hyperpigmentation. And although accelerated hyperpigmentation is fun to say 3 times fast, but it’s no joke when it shows up on your face.

Most commonly manifesting as dark spots, this condition results from years of exposure but surfaces more rapidly in later years. Not to scare you, but what you see now may only be a precursor of what is yet to come.

Luckily Dr. Murad has several groundbreaking new products targeted specifically at hyperpigmentation – so for those of us who embraced the sun gods in our youth, there are solutions. But the best way to avoid fixing the problem is to never let it develop in the first place.

Which means – wear sunscreen! Most professional skincare lines offer a variety of choices – some are mineral based while others have a combination of chemicals and minerals. And professional suncare products include potent ingredients to protect from UV ray damage such as anti-oxidants (botanicals and vitamins), nourishing moisturizers and peptides.

Then there’s the SPF conundrum. Everyone wants to know ‘what’s enough’ and is there such a thing as ‘too much?’

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends an SPF of at least 30, and it’s worth noting once you go past SPF 30, the protection is more incremental. For instance, an SPF 30 shields skin from about 97 percent of the sun’s UVB rays, while and SPF 50 protects again approximately 98 percent. And no sunscreen blocks 100 percent of the sun’s rays.

Picking a sunscreen with broad-spectrum coverage to protect from both UVA and UVB rays is probably the most important element. Well, that and applying it before you go outside. Because the expression ‘safety first’ really is all about sunscreen.

“Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it ain’t going away.” Elvis Presley

“Do you see that out there? The strange, unfamiliar light? It’s called the sun. Let’s go get us a little.” Nora Roberts

“A day without sunshine is like, you know, night.” Steve Martin