Sunscreen Prevents Skin Cancer
Melanoma is no joke, and it's the number one reason why dermatologists — and all doctors, for that matter, insist on daily sunscreen application.
"SPF protects our skin against the harmful UV radiation rays from the sun. We know that UV radiation leads to skin cancer, so protecting ourselves is key," says Dr. Deanne Robinson, a board-certified dermatologist based in Westport, Conn. "Using a broad-spectrum with an SPF of 30 of above and reapplying every two hours — or after water and sports — is key."
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Sunscreen Keeps Your Skin Looking Younger
The sun's UVA rays are responsible for causing both cancer and premature aging, but applying sunscreen reduces your risk of both.
"Sun-related premature aging signs include lines, wrinkles, sallowness of the skin, and sun spots," says Dr. Robinson. "The UV radiation [also] breaks down our collagen, which is the building blocks of our skin. We want to preserve and protect our collagen as much as possible since its breakdown leads to many signs and symptoms of aging."
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Sunscreen Helps Prevent Melasma and Sun Spots
Speaking of sun spots...
"Sun spots are those pesky brown spots that develop on sun exposed skin — primarily face, arms, chest, shoulders and back — and that occur after sun exposure from the stimulation of melanocytes, or pigment producing cells in the skin," explains Dr. Shari Marchbein, a NYC-based board certified dermatologist. "Melasma, also known as mask of pregnancy, is a form of hyperpigmentation characterized by brown patches on sun exposed areas, such as the cheeks, forehead, upper lip, and can occur less commonly off of the face on the scalp and arms."
Sun exposure exacerbates both of these issues — both of which are very difficult to treat — which makes preventative sunscreen application vital.
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Sunscreen Reduces Our Risk of Painful Burns
The sun's UVB rays are responsible for causing painful burns when we're exposed to the sun without being protected via sunscreen.
"Burned skin is damaged skin," says Dr. Robinson. "A burn is our body's way of trying to deal with too much UV radiation or sun. Burns can lead to blisters [and] discoloration of the skin."
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Sunscreen Protects Your Other Products
Dr. Marchbein says that the trifecta of daily skin care products for healthy skin are sunscreen with at least a 30 SPF, retinoids at night, and antioxidant serums for the morning. If you're using the latter two, then SPF becomes even more important (and it's already pretty darn important).
"Not only can many retinoids be inactivated by the sun, but they also tend to make the skin more sensitive to UV rays and more easily able to sunburn. I recommend using retinoids at night to repair skin and fork new collagen, and to apply sunscreen liberally during the day," notes Dr. Marchbein. "Also, antioxidant vitamin C serums, which help to even pigmentation and fight free radical damage, are better able to protect the skin when sunscreen is applied overtop to inactivate the sun's damaging UV rays."
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