It's Almost Fall! Time to Shelf Your Sunscreen?

Autumn is just around the corner. Days grow shorter, the air is crisper and there is pumpkin spice flavor in everything. Time to skip the sunscreen? Um . . . NO! Sunscreen is a year-round necessity. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends the use of sunscreen daily and many scientific research studies have shown that those treating the signs of aging and hyperpigmentation have better results when their daily skin care regimen includes sunscreen. Use of broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30, 15 minutes before sun exposure prevents skin cancer, premature aging, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation including age spots.

When considering skin care, sunscreen is the first and foremost ingredient to achieve healthy, youthful skin.  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. In the case of sunscreen, an ounce (a full shot glass-sized amount) is literally the amount needed to cover the entire body effectively. While the change in season and wardrobe may mean the entire body needs less sunscreen, the face, neck and décolleté should not be neglected in the cooler months of the year. At least a teaspoon-sized amount should be applied daily because the sun shines year-round and 80% of the sun’s UV rays can penetrate your skin even on cloudy days. The fall and winter are also optimal times to complete chemical peels and microneedling treatments and sunscreen is necessary to protect vulnerable skin after aggressive skin treatments. 

While there are countless brands of sunscreen offering varying levels of SPF, consistencies, smells, textures and cost, there are two basic types of sunscreen: chemical and physical. A chemical sunscreen absorbs the sun’s UV rays while a physical sunscreen deflects the sun’s UV rays, shielding the skin. Physical sunscreens are often tinted to avoid the having a white residue and chemical sunscreens are typically easier to rub into the skin. Which do I recommend for you? Whatever sunscreen you’ll use and use daily. I love Jan Marini’s Daily Physical Protectant SPF 45 and use Neutrogena’s water-resistant Beach Defense SPF 70 on my children. CeraVe, available at drug stores, also has several sunscreens specifically designed for the face that are dermatologist tested and recommended.

No more excuses:

• “There is enough sunscreen in my foundation”

  • Yes, and that’s good but it is not enough to get the full protection necessary to prevent skin cancer and premature aging of the skin and foundation is not always applied to the neck, décolleté leaving those areas vulnerable. Remember, a full teaspoon sized amount should be applied to the face, neck and décolleté.

• “Sunscreen makes me break out”

  • This may be a concern when sunscreen is first added to your daily regimen and the skin will often resolve any acne breakouts within a few weeks. Try a brand of sunscreen that is non-comedogenic (does not cause blocked pores) or is designed specifically for the face. Keep looking until you find one that works for you. Swing by Dandelion Medical Aesthetics for a complimentary sample of Jan Marini’s sunscreen to give it a try.

• “I don’t like the way it smells/feels”

  • Keep looking, there are so many brands of sunscreen that there is bound to be a perfect fit for you.

• “I don’t go outside during the day”

  • I’m still waiting to meet my first vampire.

• “Sunscreen causes cancer”

  • Claims that sunscreen ingredients are toxic or a hazard to human health have not been proven through medical research. If you are concerned about certain sunscreen ingredients, you can select a formula that contains different active ingredients like zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide which are in physical sunscreens. As long as your sunscreen is broad-spectrum, water-resistant and has an SPF 30 or higher, it can effectively protect you from the sun.

• “I don’t want to prevent my skin from making Vitamin D”

  • A true Vitamin D deficiency has many, sometimes vague symptoms and should be discussed with your health care provider. While sunscreen may decrease the amount of Vitamin D produced by the skin, the amount of Vitamin D produced is often inconsistent even without sunscreen use. Those concerned with Vitamin D can ensure they are getting Vitamin D through their diet or supplementation as well as limited sun exposure.