We all know that sunscreen and protecting our skin is important. But oftentimes, there are questions, like whether wearing sunscreen affects your ability to absorb Vitamin D. We are here to shed some light (though not the UV kind!) on this important, but confusing topic.
Why is sunscreen important?
The skin is our largest organ; it helps to protect us from infections, toxins, and any harmful substances we encounter in our activities of daily living. Without proper use of sunscreen to protect us from ultraviolet light (UV), we are likely to experience sun damage to our skin that can lead to painful sunburns, skin cancer, and premature aging.
How does sunscreen prevent skin cancer?
Exposure to UV rays (and tanning) damages the skin. Over time, this damage to our skin and skin cells builds up. When our skin and cells are damaged, we are at an increased risk for developing skin cancer.
How does sunscreen prevent premature aging?
Sunscreen prevents aging skin by blocking UVA rays. UVA rays are the sun rays that can lead to wrinkles and age/sunspots. UVA rays can even pass through windows!
What are some additional benefits of sunscreen?
If it’s not enough knowing that sunscreen can prevent cancer, there are additional benefits to consider. Sunscreen protects the skin against dark spots, melasma, and uneven skin tones. Plus, it masks as a protectant against blue light from our phones, tablets, computers, and televisions. Although blue light will not give you skin cancer, it can contribute to premature aging.
Will sunscreen prevent me from getting enough vitamin D?
Sunscreen does decrease the amount of vitamin D. However, vitamin D synthesized from sun exposure increases our risk of skin cancer. Skin cancer is the number one type of cancer in The United States of America. We can get more than enough Vitamin D from our diet without increasing our risk of skin cancer.
What type of sunscreen do I need?
We recommend broad spectrum sunscreen to protect against both UVA and UVB rays. The official recommendation for SPF (sunburn protection factor) from the American Academy of Dermatology is SPF 30 as this will block 97% of UV rays. Unfortunately, there is no sunscreen that blocks 100% of the sun’s UV rays. For patients who have melasma, hyperpigmentation, dark spots, or sensitive skin, we recommend mineral sunblock. You can take a look at our sunscreen options available to find the right one that works for you.
We advise all of our patients to wear sunscreen every day (including indoors). Even though we live in Ohio where sunshine can be sparse, 80% of the sun’s harmful UV rays can penetrate through the clouds.
At Apex, it is our mission to transform the lives of our community through healthy skin. One of the best ways to ensure survival with skin cancer is early detection. On Monday, May 6th all of the Apex locations will be giving out FREE Spot Checks for Melanoma Monday. Visit, www.apexskin.com/melanoma/ for more information.
For the full article and more skin care articles, visit: www.apexskin.com/blog
Purchase sunscreen on our shop: https://shop.apexskin.com
