Listen to your Dermatologist when they say it’s better to Prevent than to Diagnose
SPF – What You Need To Know
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. The SPF tells us theoretically how long we can stay in the sun before getting burned. For example, an SPF 30 would allow us to stay in the sun 30 times longer then if we weren’t wearing any sunscreen at all.
Most dermatologists recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, which blocks 97 percent of the sun’s rays. Higher-number SPFs block slightly more of the sun’s rays, but no sunscreen can block 100 percent of the sun’s rays. Currently, there is not any scientific evidence that indicates using a sunscreen with an SPF higher than 50 can protect you better than a sunscreen with an SPF of 30. In fact, sunscreens with a high SPF (50 to 100) can lead people to think that they are protected longer and better. This false sense of security usually means that they do not reapply sunscreen in the two- hour recommended increments, which will lead to sun damaged skin. It is important to remember that high-number SPFs last the same amount of time as low-number SPFs.
Just because there may be a high-number SPF on your sunscreen this does not allow you to spend additional time outdoors without reapplication.
Follow these tips to ensure healthy skin before and after sun exposure
- Always wear a hat, sunglasses and long sleeves to block out the harmful rays.
- Using sunscreen as part of your daily regimen even on cloudy days is extremely important.
- Use a sunscreen with broad spectrum protection of at least an SPF of 30. If you are spending time in the water, be sure to apply a sunscreen that is water resistant. Don’t forget to re apply approximately every 2 hours to ensure maximum protection. Check out these two new additions to the Skin Resource.MD lineup. Both are Reef Safe and Water Resistant: Hyaluronic Facial Solar Protector - Tinted Moisturizing Sunscreen - SPF44 and Essential Solar Protector - Moisturizing Sunscreen - SPF47.
- Stay hydrated...treating your skin from within is another way to ensure healthy skin for the summer months. You can do this by drinking plenty of water and also eating foods that keep your body hydrated and are rich in antioxidants: for example, cantaloupe and watermelon.
- It is also important to remember to care for your skin after excessive sun exposure
Taking cool showers will prevent skin from getting even more dried out and will keep skin unoccluded which will decrease acne breakouts. Breakouts happen during summer often because of the increased heat and humidity. Using products that will hydrate your skin...toners, masks..moisturizers...will also decrease the breakouts.
