The Importance of Protecting Your Skin
As we head into summer, we step into more time spent outdoors in the sun. While a little bit of vitamin D is good for us, the harmful rays of the sun are not. No matter how consistent you are with your HydraFacials, IPL, Microneedling, or whatever your treatment of choice is, if you’re not protecting your skin from the sun, you’re doing yourself a disservice and negating all the great benefits from your careful care.
Don’t get caught without SPF this year — here’s what you need to know about keeping your skin safe and reaping the benefits from all of your aesthetic treatments.
There are different types of rays that harm the skin: UVA & UVB
Let’s take a step back. To start, we have to first look at your skin which is made up of three layers: the outermost layer called the epidermis, a middle layer — the dermis— and the deepest one called the subcutaneous fat layer.
Although both are harmful to your skin, ultraviolet rays from the sun impact the layers of the skin differently.
UVA rays penetrate deepest to the dermis and are linked with premature aging. They cause the skin to tan and have a lower amount of energy than UVB rays but a longer wavelength.
UVB rays, on the other hand, are shorter with more energy than UVA rays, and can only penetrate the epidermis. However, they cause sunburns and sun damage.
It’s important to protect your skin from both types with SPF.
There are two different types of sunscreen: Physical & Chemical
When it comes to protecting your skin, sunscreen is a must. The two different types available for use are physical and chemical and while neither is better than the other, the way they protect is individual.
Physical sunscreen sits on top of the skin and uses minerals to reflect away UV rays, while chemical sunscreen absorbs ingredients and transforms UV rays into heat. Physical sunscreens tend to work better for those with sensitive skin, while chemical works for most skin types and is ideal for those who lead an active outdoor lifestyle.
The types also differ in how long it takes the protection to work. Physical sunscreens work right away meaning there’s no need to prolong sun exposure, whereas chemical sunscreens take 15 minutes to absorb.
Still when it comes down to it, the most important thing is that you’re wearing a sunscreen of at least SPF 30.
There are multiple ways to protect your skin
In addition to wearing a daily SPF, it’s also important to negate sun damage in other ways.
Wearing UV-resistant clothing and staying out of the sun as much as possible from 10:00 am to 04:00 pm can help ensure that your skin is protected. Wear hats, stay in the shade, and be sure to reapply sunscreen as needed.
Don’t let all the money and time spent on your skin go to waste this summer and stay ahead of the damage with treatments tailored to your needs. Give us a call to get, and maintain your best skin ever: 650.964.2200.
