Sunscreen

Almost all of the material below was written by Dr. Katherine Farady, an excellent dermatologist and friend. Dr. Farady spent one whole afternoon in a pharmacy reading the labels on sunscreen preparations and assembling this material for her patients. The patient handout she produced is so good that we have shamelessly plagiarized it (with her permission).

Why do I need sunscreen?

We all need sunscreens to protect us from ultraviolet radiation. This is a form of energy produced by the sun which can damage skin cells. The sun produces two forms of UV radiation which can harm the skin: UVA and UVB. UVB is the most dangerous.  Intense exposures to UVB over a short period of time can cause skin cell death, a.k.a. sunburn. Over a longer period of time (years), cumulative exposure to UVB causes damage to the genetic material in skin cells which can result in the formation of skin cancers. UVA also plays a role in the formation of skin cancer and is the major cause of the wrinkles, brown spots, and complexion changes that we recognize as aging.

But I don’t go out in the sun!

Staying out of the sun, especially in the mid day, minimizes UV damage to the skin, but it is almost impossible to totally avoid exposure, especially if you live in Texas. The small amount of sun exposure we experience just going to and from work and running errands builds up over time and causes most of the cumulative sun damage to our skin. Broad-brimmed hats can protect the skin from direct sunlight, but remember that 50% of the sun’s rays can be reflected off of cement, sand, or water back onto your face. Windows and windshields screen only the UVB rays- the UVA rays come right through glass.

Do I need to wear sunscreen in the winter?

Yes. Just because the temperature is cool doesn’t mean you aren’t still getting significant sun exposure. Even on cloudy days, 80% of the UV rays come through.

What sunscreen should I use?

There are hundreds of sunscreens on the market. Find one you like and wear it every day. Look for a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 for everyday use. If you’re going to be out all day, an SPF of 30 is better. Products with an SPF of 45 or 50 are available, but the additional sun protection gained beyond SPF 30 is minimal.

All sunscreens are good at blocking UVB, but the only sunscreens that adequately block UVA are those which contain either titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or avobenzone (also known as Parsol 1789). Remember, it is UVA which causes skin aging; so be sure to use a sunscreen with at least one of these three ingredients.

There are many sunscreens formulated for the face, and these are less likely to feel greasy or clog pores. Sunscreens also come in waterproof formulations for when you are swimming outdoors or perspiring heavily.

Sunscreens should be applied to all exposed areas (face, neck, ears, tops of arms and hands) and ideally should be reapplied every few hours.

Are sunless tanners safe to use?

Yes. Sunless tanners simply stain the skin to make it appear tanned. Remember, though that they do not provide any sun protection and you’ll still need to use sunscreens.