Summer has arrived, and we’re doubtlessly getting more sun. But while we might enjoy soaking in the rays, our skin doesn’t always relish the experience. In fact, the sun’s rays can wreak havoc on our delicate skin, leading to premature Ageing, irreversible damage, and even cancer.
Holding onto moisture, preventing dehydration, keeping out microbes, and helping us to feel/navigate our surroundings – our skin is incredible. We owe it protection. Fortunately, we have sun protection products to help us keep the sun damage at bay.
At PureLite, we know a thing or two about sunscreen products to keep your skin safe and sound. But first, let’s figure out how the sun affects our skin.
Difference between UVA and UVB rays
Sunlight is made up of UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays penetrate deeply into the skin, playing a large role in premature ageing, leading to wrinkles, lines, and other signs of ageing skin.
UVB has a shorter wavelength and is associated with skin burning. However, recent studies have shown that UVA rays also play a significant role in the development of skin cancer.
Adverse effects of sun exposure on unprotected skin:
Combined, UVA and UVB rays can cause significant sun damage to the skin. When UV rays enter skin cells, they upset delicate processes that affect the skin’s growth and appearance, resulting in the following negative side effects.
How sun damage presents in the skin and body
Premature Ageing: As the sun penetrates the skin, it releases its heat energy that essentially perturbs the skin, offsetting the delicate homeostasis our bodies work hard to maintain. In doing so, sunlight can damage the elastic fibres that keep skin firm, allowing wrinkles to develop. What’s worse, as you get older, it becomes harder for skin to repair itself. Over time, UV damage can take a toll on your skin and its underlying connective tissue.
Sun can also be responsible for “liver spots” on the hands, face, and other sun-exposed areas.
Cancer: Prolonged sun exposure can also raise your risk for skin cancer (melanoma,) the most common cancer in the United States. When UV light enters skin cells, it can damage the DNA within, disturbing the cell replication process.
But that doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy the sun. Fortunately, we have sunscreen to help us stave off the potential side effects.
The benefits of sunscreen
When it comes to ageing, those who use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day show 24 percent less skin ageing than those who forgo sunscreen application.
Furthermore, daily use of SPF 15 sunscreen has been shown to reduce your risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) by around 40 percent and lower your melanoma risk by 50 percent.
How does sunscreen work?
Sunscreen works by blocking and absorbing UV rays through a mix of physical and chemical particles. Biological particles, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, reflect UV radiation from the skin. At the same time, complex chemical ingredients in sunscreen react with radiation before it penetrates the skin, absorbing the rays and releasing the energy as heat.
The best way to apply sunscreen for maximum protection?
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, adults need around 1 ounce (or a shot glass amount) of sunscreen to cover their entire body. Apply this amount to all bare skin that’ll be exposed to the sun throughout the day. Also, remember to cover the ears, neck, and most commonly overlooked – lips. Lip balms infused with SPF are becoming increasingly popular, with products like PREVENTION+ daily defence lip enhancer becoming a must-have to avoid chapped or burnt lips.
What is the best type of sunscreen?
We recommend you choose a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and provides broad-spectrum coverage, meaning it protects you from UVA and UVB rays.
While traditional sunscreen still offers reliable protection, some modern products have multi-action diversified formulas that target and protect every layer of the skin. Be on the lookout for multi-action products that feature protection against blue light and environmental skin stressors. As such, you can not only ensure your skin is protected from the sun, but also dryness, discolouration, and other signs of premature ageing.
What is SPF, and why does it matter?
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is often wrongly thought of as sunscreen’s relative ‘strength of protection.’ In reality, the SPF number refers to how long it takes UVB rays to ‘redden’ or burn protected skin compared to unprotected skin. For example, skin covered in SPF 30 sunscreen will take 30 times longer to burn than bare skin.
What SPF is the best?
What SPF is best for your skin depends on a combination of genetics and sun intensity. A high SPF is best in climates where your skin is exposed to powerful sun rays throughout the day. However, if you plan to only remain in the sun for a short time, you can safely opt for a lower SPF.
That said, dermatologists recommend using an SPF of at least 30, which some refer to as “the magic number.” SPF 15 keeps out around 93 percent of UVB rays, while SPF 30 sunscreen blocks about 97 percent of UVB rays. Further still, SPF 50 sunscreen blocks 98% of the sun’s rays, and SPF 100 stops 99% of UVB rays from reaching your skin.
IPL and a tanned skin
Intense Pulsed Light therapy works by targeting dark pigmentation and hair follicles within your skin. Once located, the laser works to bring the darker areas to the surface, allowing them to fade or for hair to fall away.
However, once you tan, the pigmentation levels of your skin increase, essentially ‘confusing’ the laser hair remover that can’t differentiate between natural pigmentation and ‘problem area’ pigmentation. As a result, the outcome of IPL treatment can be unsatisfactory.
It’s recommended that you let your skin rest from 6-8 weeks after sun exposure before doing another patch test or treatment.
Finally…
Sun damage shouldn’t have to be the price of soaking in the sun’s rays. And thanks to ever-improving formulas and innovations within the skin care industry, it doesn’t have to be.
At PureLite, we’re proud to be part of those working towards a healthier future for you and your skin. We hope you’ve gained some valuable insights into how sunlight affects your skin and what you can do to give your skin the protection it deserves. If you’re looking for high-quality and reliable sunscreen, we stock a range of multi-action sunscreens that provide the best protection against sun damage and premature ageing.
