Why you need to Protect Yourself from the Sun Year Round

Summer may be over, but protecting your skin from UV radiation needs to be a priority year-round. Did you know that there are UV rays that cause cellular damage, including cancer and premature aging year round? UVA rays have the same intensity and cause the same amount of damage, sun up to sun down, no matter what time of the year and even penetrate cloud cover and glass! You may not be aware that there are two types of radiation from the sun that negatively affect our skin and our health: UVA and UVB rays. UVB Damage UVB rays are the short-wave length rays that penetrate the epidermis and bounce back causing sunburns and the majority of skin cancers.  Sun Protection Factor (SPF) signifies only the amount of protection against UVB rays, NOT UVA rays. UVA Damage UVA rays penetrate all the way to the dermis, unlike UVB rays. The damaging effects of UVA radiation is not immediately noticeable like the effects of a sunburn from UVB rays, but their effects are the most long term. UVA radiation is responsible for:

• Wrinkles and fine lines
• Loss of elasticity
• Hyperpigmentation
• Reduction in collagen
• Cataracts
• Cancer

So how do we Protect Ourselves from UVA Radiation? To protect yourself from UVA radiation, you must choose a sunscreen that is labeled “Broad Spectrum” and you must wear it year round. Look for these sunscreen ingredients to protect your skin from UVA damage:

• Avobenzone
• Oxybenzone
• Ecamsule (Mexoryl)
• Zinc Oxide
• Titanium Dioxide

Apply sunscreen every day. There are times that you are being Elta MD’s UV Clear contains Zinc Oxide to protect from UVA rays and the effects of premature aging.  I consider it my “Driving cream” for my hands. It has no greasy feel and does not leave a white residue on my steering wheel.   La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios SX SPF-15 is fairly new to the United States as it utilizes not just Avobenzone but Mexoryl, meaning it completely covers the entire UVA spectrum (UVA I & UVA II), unlike some Broad Spectrum sunscreens. This Sunscreen is moisturizing and perfect for everyday use. Intrinsic aging is the type of aging that is a natural part of life and is caused by genetics and hormones- meaning it is out of our control. Extrinsic aging, on the other hand is the aging we have caused ourselves by UV exposure, cigarette smoking, pollution and other environmental factors. About 80% of visible aging is caused by the extrinsic factor of sun damage. The good news is that we have control over this type of aging, so start slathering!

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  Blog Written by askderm's in house Esthetician Chantal Monique Chantal Monique is a NYS licensed Esthetician and Makeup Artist. She has 7 years experience in skin care and makeup artistry. Her specialties include makeup application and facial treatments, which were featured on ABC's Wife Swap. Chantal also has a background in the Fine Arts. With the unique combination of her education as well as the desire to help people feel beautiful, Chantal provides expert skin care knowledge for our customers as well as the must have ingredients and trending looks. With an ever growing portfolio and clientele askderm is excited to be teamed up with Chantal for future blogs, informational videos and skin care tips!