Everything You Ever Needed to Know About Sunscreen

Summer is almost here, which means drinks by the pool, lake weekends, sundresses, and vacation! In preparation for all of the above, we’re sharing some super important facts about protecting your skin!

Here’s a list of FAQs just for you:

Do I need sunscreen if I am naturally tan, Hispanic, Black, or if I never burn?

Yes! Anyone can get skin cancer, regardless of age, gender, or race. In fact, it is estimated that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Yikes!

What’s the best kind of sunscreen to use?

We’re glad you asked. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends everyone use sunscreen that offers the following:

·       Broad-spectrum protection (protects against UVA and UVB rays)

·       SPF 30 or higher

·       Water-resistance

McKinzie Aesthetics Center carries 4 different sunscreen options and we are confident we can find one that you love. Our most popular sunscreen option is ZO Skin Health’s Sunscreen + Primer. It offers broad-spectrum protection and has a lightweight, matte finish with a subtle amount of tint that camouflages redness and skin imperfections and can replace your BB cream. It can also under your makeup to help it go on smoother. Men love it too! If you are a skin type IV or greater, we have Smart Tone, which blends as you massage it into the skin. It also offers tint and SPF 50 protection with a non-greasy feel.

To find the best fit for you, we’d recommend coming in (or chatting via video) for a free skin consultation at the MAC. Here, we can break down your skincare and sun protection needs to then recommend the best option.

Do I really have to use sunscreen when it’s cloudy or when I’m just in my car?

Yes. Yes. Yes!

The sun’s powerful rays can penetrate tinted windows. On cloudy days, 80% of the sun’s rays reach your skin. These days can be the most damaging because you often don’t feel the heat that you do when those clouds disappear. And did you know that sand, snow, and water reflect light and can cause damage from the ground up?! This is why you need to wear a hat and sunglasses for added protection. The American Academy of Dermatology shared this fun fact: If your shadow is shorter than you, you need to seek shade. This is when the sun’s rays are the most damaging!

Need more proof? Take a look at the photo of this truck driver. The skin on the left side of his face is exposed to excessive sunlight when driving, which has caused substantial skin damage.

How often do I really have to reapply?

 Here’s the part that none of us are doing correctly:

·       Apply enough sunscreen to cover all skin that clothing will not cover. Most adults need about 1 ounce (about enough to fill a shot glass) to fully cover their body.

·       Apply to the tops of your feet, your neck, your ears, and the top of your head.

·       Apply sunscreen to dry skin 15 minutes before going outdoors.

·       Skin cancer also can form on the lips. To protect your lips, apply a lip balm or lipstick that contains sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

·       When outdoors, reapply sunscreen approximately every two hours, or after swimming or sweating, according to the directions on the bottle.

Should I use a chemical sunscreen or a physical sunscreen? 

So what’s the difference? Chemical sunscreens work like a sponge because they absorb the sun’s rays. They contain one or more of the following active ingredients: oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, and octinoxate.

Physical sunscreens work like a shield. They sit on the surface and deflect the sun’s rays. They contain the active ingredient zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. Opt for this sunscreen if you have sensitive skin.

So what’s the conclusion?

Since about 90% of age-related skin changes are caused by sun exposure, we believe this to be the most important preventative measure that you can take to prevent skin changes. We see numerous patients each month who talk about their days of baking in the backyard with cooking oil and frequent tanning bed visits. All of them wish they could go back in time. So, take note and start protecting your skin! It’s the largest organ on our body and the most undervalued.