After a long, cold winter, we all want to get out into the sun as much as possible. We get it, but we also know that the sun can be extremely damaging to your skin.
Does this mean we need to sit inside all summer and completely avoid the sun? Not necessarily! At Waterloo Medical Cosmetics we promote a balanced approach. We want you to enjoy your summer, but we also strongly encourage our clients to practice proper sun protection.
Avoid sun damage this summer by learning all about SPF and how you can protect your skin with our top tips and tricks.
What Is SPF?
First things first, what is SPF and why is it so essential for avoiding sun damage?
SPF stands for “sun protection factor”. It is an indicator that can predict how well-protected your skin is from the sun. The higher the SPF of your sunscreen, the more protected your skin is.
Another way to look at it is SPF is the amount of solar energy that is required to produce a burn on protected skin. For example, if you’re wearing SPF50, it will take more solar energy to produce a burn since your skin is better protected than if you were wearing SPF15.
How the Sun Can Cause Damage to Your Skin
Knowing how to protect your skin from sun damage is extremely important if you want to maintain healthy, vibrant skin, especially as you age. Remember, sun damage is permanent. UV radiation from the sun permanently causes DNA changes in the skin that will make you look older. While our laser skin treatments and Cool Peel can treat the appearance of sun damage, we know prevention is still best.
Sun damage happens when UVA light penetrates the surface of the skin and deep into the dermis. This damage causes collagen and elastin to become weaker, which leads to skin looking less plump and more dull. In addition, you’ll find that UVB light affects the surface of the skin, which often results in more fine lines and wrinkles.
Even more importantly, failure to protect your skin from the sun can make you more prone to skin cancer. In particular, UVB light causes precancerous cells to form, so be sure that your sunscreen also provides UVB protection.
Prevention
The best thing you can do to protect against sun damage is to apply sunscreen with a high SPF. At the very least, aim for SPF15, but when possible, opt for something higher.
We suggest trying sunscreen from Dermalogica, which is designed with water-resistant capabilities and is a SPF50. One of our favourites for your face and neck is Dynamic Skin. It is a SPF50 with UVA and UVB protection and is a two and one moisturizer and sunscreen. Not only does it protect you from the sun it also helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This is a great option that provides full sun protection.
Sunscreen from Dermalogica also goes on sheer and doesn’t leave you with that greasy feel after application, making it the perfect grab-and-go sunscreen, even on days when you’re wearing makeup.
Alternatively, we also recommend sunscreen from Environ. While this option is only available in SPF15, it is formulated with powerful ingredients like Vitamin E and C, antioxidants, and beta carotene for extra protection following sun exposure. This option is also broad-spectrum, meaning it provides protection against both UVA and UVB.
Environ provides three different sunscreen options as well, including a mineral sunscreen, a day cream, and a general medium protection sunscreen.
We also have several items from our Jane Iredale clean skin care makeup line that have both SPF and full coverage foundation. BB creams, powders and tinted moisturizers - there is something for everyone. One of our most popular is a weightless, dry, physical SPF 30 broad-spectrum sunscreen for the face, body and scalp in a refillable flow-through vegan brush. Wear alone or over makeup.
Not Sure Which Sunscreen Is Right for You?
Do you need help getting started, or have prior skin damage from the sun you'd like to minimize? Give Waterloo Medical Cosmetics a call at (226) 476-4367, or fill out our online contact form.