The Buyt Desk
One of the easiest and best ways to protect skin from sun damage is to use sunscreen. Make sunscreen part of your everyday routine even when you are indoors.
What is sunscreen?
Sunscreen cream is also known as suntan lotion or sunblock. It is a tropical skin product with active ingredients which is photo protective as it reflects or absorbs ultraviolet (UV) rays from sun. This nature of the product protects skin from sunburn and UV penetration thus prevents skin cancer. You can wear sunscreen along with your makeup.
Types of Sunscreen
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Mineral or physical sunscreen – Lotion with active ingredients like iron oxide, zinc oxide or titanium dioxide is known as mineral sunscreen. These minerals build a physical barrier over skin and block the skin damaging rays from touching the skin surface. It sits on top of the skin and reflects the rays away from the skin.
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Chemical sunscreen – Lotion with organic chemical compounds that absorbs UV rays before they touch and damage the skin is chemical sunscreen. Chemical sunscreen is absorbed by skin and hence not considered a healthy option.
What SPF is better?
Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is quantifying how good a sunscreen will protect skin from skin damaging light rays. Higher this number, the better the block. Dermatologists suggest wearing sunscreen with SPF 50+ when outdoor and minimum of SPF 30 when indoor.
Should you wear sunscreen indoors?
The three types of light rays that damage our skin are Ultraviolet A (UVA), Ultraviolet B (UVB) and blue light from computers, TVs and smart devices. Dermatologists suggest that everyone should wear sunscreen even if you stay indoors or even if it is cloudy outside. Even the slightest of sun has the capacity to damage skin. Make sure you reapply the sunscreen every 3 to 4 hours till sunset, especially when you are outdoors. Wear your sunscreen every day.
Few reasons to wear sunscreen daily
Decrease risk of cancer – Sunscreen helps you to protect from chances of skin cancer. Use SPF50+ even when it is cloudy or raining outside. Even when indoors, use SPF30 to protect your skin from harmful sun rays that can cause cancer. Shield yourself from melanoma, as it is one of the most deadly types of skin cancer.
Maintain an even skin tone and prevent skin discoloration – Sun damage makes skin uneven and pigmented. Too much exposure to the sun causes brown spots, so always use sunscreen irrespective of whether you are going out or not. Even sun through your windows is capable of damaging your skin.
Reduce inflammation – Skin exposed to sun can become red and cause inflammation especially for people with skin conditions. Wearing mineral sunscreen every day will protect the skin and prevent inflammation. It is a must for people with autoimmune skin issues.
The Ozone layer is depleting – The sun damage to humans is increasing as the ozone layer is diminishing. Most of the harmful radiation is entering the earth’s environment and damaging our health. If you stay in a place where ozone is damaged then SPF60+ is must for you even if you stay indoors. Use heavy sunblocks to protect from sunburns and skin cancer. Cover all your exposed skin with good sunscreen.
Avoid premature aging signs – Sun damage is one the reasons for premature aging skin. More sun exposure without sunscreen causes wrinkles, discoloration, fine lines and sunspots. All these will make your skin look aged and tired. Wear minimum SPF30 to stay away from early signs of aging.
Protect all skin types and tones – Yes, darker skin blocks sun better than white skin but not as good as sunscreen. Sunscreen is a must for all shades of skin and all types of skin. Sun will damage all skin types but the degree of damage may be different. People with less melanin i.e., fairer skin tones should be careful as they are more prone to sun damage.
Protect from sunburn and heat exhaustion – Some get red and some even get skin burns when out in the sun. Sun has harmful radiation and our skin reacts to it. Wear sunscreen to protect skin from such issues. Sunburn can really be bad and rarely irreversible. Studies also say that wearing sunscreen will help you against heat exhaustion and heat stroke. In places which have hot sun especially during summer, sun strokes are common if you are not well hydrated and sun protected. Along with sunscreen, wear clothes that cover a majority of your skin and hat that keeps the head cool.
