woman at the beach wearing sunhat, sunscreen on face

Sunscreen isn’t just a trend for sunny days nor for the summer months alone. Sun damage doesn’t take a vacation when the seasons change, so it’s important to keep your skin protected all year round. The good news is sunscreen doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, it has never been easier to apply. With so many lightweight, innovative options available, it’s easy to find one that fits your preferences.

At AlluraDerm MD Med Spa, we can help you find the right sun protection to suit your skin with our advanced sunscreen options, including SkinMedica® Total Defense + Repair Broad Spectrum SPF 34 and SkinCeuticals® Daily Brightening UV Defense SPF 30.

In the meantime, let’s get into the benefits of making sunscreen a 365-day essential:

Lowers risk of skin cancer.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, estimated to affect one in five Americans by the age of 70. Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, which is emitted by the sun, tanning beds and sunlamps. Leaving your skin unprotected against harmful UV rays is the number one way to get sun damage. But with everyday sunscreen application, along with other sun safety practices, you can help lower your risk of developing skin cancer. The best way to do so is with a broad-spectrum sunscreen which protects against UVA and UVB rays, both of which can contribute to skin cancer.

Protects against sunburn and sun damage.

A harmful myth about sunscreen is that you don’t need it when you’re indoors. But unfortunately, wherever the sun can shine through, so can UV radiation. So, if you’re sitting by a window or driving in your car without sunscreen on, you’re still putting your skin at risk of damage. The same goes for clouds. Overcast days are no excuse not to wear sunscreen, as up to 90% of UV rays can pass through cloud cover. This is where SPF, or sun protection factor, is super important. SPF measures how well sunscreen protects against UV rays. While no sunscreen blocks 100% of UV radiation, the higher the SPF, the higher protection it offers. We recommend using a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher and reapplying every two hours (and more often if you’re swimming or sweating).

Helps slow down signs of aging.

An additional benefit of sunscreen you may not be aware of is that it can help slow down the skin’s aging process. That’s right, sunscreen can help you look younger! UV radiation accelerates signs of skin aging such as dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin texture and loss of skin elasticity and volume. But regular sunscreen use has been shown to protect against photoaging, and in some cases, even reverse its effects. According to a groundbreaking study that appeared in the Journal of Dermatologic Surgery, daily sunscreen use over the course of a year improved the overall appearance of skin tone, texture, fine lines, wrinkles and other signs of photoaging. There’s truly no easier way to enhance your skin health AND beauty!

Protect your skin this summer and improve its appearance while doing so! To find the best sun care products for your needs, call (505) 821-9630 or request a consultation online today.