Sun-Safe Skin Tips
Sun-Safe Skin Tips
My clients hear me say it regularly in my facial room, and it is worth repeating: Apply your sunscreen everyday, make sure it’s broad-spectrum SPF-15 or higher, and remember to re-apply every 1-2 hours throughout the day to help protect your skin from damaging UV rays. I'm still amazed at how many people think their skin is protected all day if they apply their sunscreen in the morning. Sunscreens lose their effectiveness after about 2 hours, so you need to re-apply to help protect your skin.
In the last 4 months I have known 3 people who have been diagnosed with melanoma, the most serious and potentially deadly type of skin cancer. Most people are aware that UV rays can cause sun damage and skin cancer. Here are a few interesting, and perhaps less-known facts on skin cancer from www.skincancer.org
- On average, a person’s risk for melanoma doubles if he or she has had more than five sunburns.
- Regular daily use of an SPF 15 or higher sunscreen reduces the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma by about 40 percent and the risk of developing melanoma by 50 percent.
- An estimated 90 percent of skin aging is caused by the sun.
- People who use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher daily show 24 percent less skin aging than those who do not use sunscreen daily.
- Sun damage is cumulative. Only about 23 percent of lifetime exposure occurs by age 18.
Remember to follow these sun-safe skin tips to help you protect your skin this Summer (and year ‘round)!
- Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF-15 daily 30 minutes before leaving your home, and re-apply every 2 hours. If you are exercising outdoors, re-apply sunscreen every hour, and always re-apply after being in the water, even if your sunscreen says it is water-resistant or waterproof.
- How to apply sunscreen: Apply a tablespoon of sunscreen to your face, neck and chest, use 2 tablespoons for your arms and about 3 tablespoons for your legs (a total of 6 tablespoons). Remember to also put sunscreen on the tips of your ears, lips, and the part of your hair and between your toes. Apply sunscreen before your makeup, and it's also good to have a makeup with broad-spectrum sunscreen (Charisma Skin's makeup with broad-spectrum SPF are listed below).
- Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide: Made from natural minerals, these sunblocks are gentle, so they are the best choice for children and people with sensitive skin. They work by reflecting UV rays so they cannot penetrate the skin, and are therefore known as physical barrier sun protection. Chemical sunscreens, in contrast, absorb UV rays before they damage the skin (keep in mind that water is technically a chemical).
- UV Rays are the strongest between 10:00am - 4:00pm, so if you're outside during the peak time, try to stay in the shade, under an umbrella, or wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- A hat that is more than 4 inches wide can reduce head and neck exposure to UV light by 70%, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. The best hats shield your ears and neck better so bucket hats are more effective than visors and baseball caps.
- Try UPF clothing that is treated with a special coating to help absorb UVB and UVA rays (the higher the UPF, the more it protects) Regular clothing can help protect you, too (darker colors of clothing provide more protection than white or lighter colors).
Charisma Skin's Mineral Sheer Tint Broad-Spectrum SPF 20 contains the active ingredients Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, as does our BB Creme Broad-Spectrum SPF 30, our Mineral Liquid Powder Foundation Broad-Spectrum SPF 15, and our Loose Mineral Powder Foundation. Enjoy your Summer and be sun-safe!