Protecting your face from the sun is the number one thing you can do to prevent aging, photodamage, skin cancer, sunspots and wrinkles. The three main types of rays that damage our skin are UVA, UVB, and infrared rays. These have the ability to penetrate skin and cause damage to cells and DNA. On the surface, this damage manifests as fine lines, wrinkles, laxity, discoloration, and of course skin cancer. Photodamage created by the sun is the number-one cause of accelerated skin aging and skin cancer. In order to prevent this damage, it’s essential to protect skin with sunscreen.
A common misconception about sunscreen is that is only needs to be applied when you are going to be at the beach all day and roasting in the sun. This is the huge mistakes that makes people age poorly with sun spots, wrinkles, leathering, sagging, weathered skin and poor elasticity. But millions of Americans receive a large portion of their sun exposure when they don’t even realize it — especially in their cars. UV exposure is cumulative, and research has proven that skin exposed to sun shining through window glass, even at home or in the office, can over time lead to SIGNIFICANT skin damage. The UV exposure we receive driving a car especially adds up. Therefore, it is absolutely crucial to integrate sunscreen into your daily routine, in the morning and every two hours.
So whether your plans are to go to the beach, run errands, go to work or hang around the house, you must adequately shield your skin from the sun every day. Options include physical UV-reflecting ingredients, chemical UV-absorbing ingredients, or a combination of both, but the most important thing to look for on a label is the term “broad spectrum”. This indicates full coverage from the entire spectrum of UVA and UVB radiation, whereas SPF only measures the length of time one is protected from the UVB rays responsible for sunburn.
One of the very best product lines for face sunscreens is SkinCeuticals, available at Lotus Skin Care Center & Medi-Spa (www.lotuslasertreatments.com) in Massapequa, NY; (516) 798-0200. SkinCeuticals offers a full range of broad spectrum sunscreens designed for different skin types, conditions and lifestyles in order to shield skin from UV rays. These products don’t leave a white film on the skin, won’t cause breakouts or an overly-shiny face, and can be applied seamlessly over or under makeup. SkinCeuticals broad spectrum sunscreens feature Z-Cote® transparent zinc oxide to help protect skin from UVA rays, in addition to providing the SPF necessary to prevent sunburn and damage caused by UVB radiation. With an option suitable for every skin type, and lifestyle, a SkinCeuticals daily sunscreen provides effective protection from photoaging and skin cancer.
It is important that you choose the right sunscreen for your specific lifestyle. For example, if you are very physically active, Lotus Skin Care Center & Medi-Spa (www.lotuslasertreatments.com) recommends that you use SkinCeuticals’ Sport UV Defense SPF 50. Sport UV Defense SPF 50 is a broad spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen that is tested under the most extreme athletic conditions and won’t interfere with your workout. Marathon-runner tested and suitable for rigorous sport activities, this oxybenzone-free broad spectrum sunscreen provides photo stable UVA/UVB protection and is proven to feel comfortable on your skin. Enhanced with artemia salina, a plankton extract, this sunscreen increases skin’s resistance to UV and heat stress and protects collagen from UV damage. It is water resistant (for 80 minutes), resists wear off from water, wiping, and rubbing, provides short-term hydration, and is alcohol free, paraben free, oxybenzone-free and non-comedogenic.
If you are someone who would love something sheer with a little tint or just dislikes the white residue of typical white sunblocks, Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 is a crowd pleaser. Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 is an award winning broad spectrum moisturizing cream containing transparent zinc oxide (Z-Cote®) to help protect against the damaging effects of UVA and UVB rays. It feels great on the skin and feels and looks like a great tinted moisturizer. It is ideal for daily use. It is PABA-free, oil-free, and fragrance-free, and ideal for all skin types.
There are several different choices in sunscreen to choose from. While it is important to protect your whole body from these harmful rays, the skin on the face is more delicate and is exposed to the damaging effects of the elements, including the sun, more than the rest of your body. The face, neck and hands are the most vulnerable areas, and where you will first begin to see the signs of aging. Facial sunscreens are specially formulated to protect the delicate skin on your face from the signs of sun-induced aging. Contact Lotus Skin Care Center & Medi-Spa (www.lotuslasertreatments.com) today for help choosing and purchasing your perfect sunscreen.
