I bet you are expecting me to reveal an amazing new magical skincare product that promises to be the fountain of youth and in a way, this product I am about to reveal to you is the fountain of youth…
This product is Sunscreen.
I know, sunscreen isn’t exciting… to you. But it should be. Sunscreen is the most effective way to keep your skin looking fresh and youthful. Sunscreen is designed to protect the skin now, so you don’t have to be concerned about correcting skin damage in the future. I know you’ve heard it before, especially if you are a client of mine, but I will say it again – Sunscreen is a must! It doesn’t matter your age, your current skin concerns (or lack thereof), the weather, your plans for the day, none of that matters, just wear the sunscreen, everyday!
Here is a breakdown of my top reasons why you should be wearing sunscreen, everyday:
- Wrinkles: UVA rays are responsible for our skin to prematurely age. They are responsible for causing skin to get wrinkled and leather-like.
- Saggy Skin: UVA rays breakdown the elasticity in the skin. This causes the skin to become thin and have a loose appearance.
- Enlarged pores: Because the skin has lost it’s elasticity, the skin stretches downward. This downward pull stretches the pores making them larger and more noticeable.
- Hyperpigmentation: Also known as age-spots or sun-spots. The sun damages the DNA in our skin, resulting in dark spots on the skin.
- Sunburn: UVB rays are responsible for burning the unprotected skin. A burn or a tan is a sign that your skin is being damaged. No tan is a good tan (unless it’s a spray tan).
- Skin Cancer: This is the most common type of cancer in the US. Wearing sunscreen and limiting your sun exposure can greatly decrease your chance of getting skin cancer.
Wearing an SPF of 30 blocks 97% of the sun’s rays and protects the skin from possibly developing any of the above-mentioned skin conditions. It should be noted that no sunscreen is waterproof or sweatproof. Sunscreen needs to be reapplied every 60-90 minutes. Check your Sunscreen’s bottle for application instructions. While you are at it, check the expiration date on your current sunscreen. They expire just like food and medicine. Also make sure to use enough sunscreen when applying. Typically, one teaspoon is enough to cover the face and body and one shot-glass (1 ounce) is enough to cover all exposed parts of the body.
Wearing sunscreen is an extremely easy and affordable way to keep your skin looking young and healthy. The key is to find a sunscreen you enjoy using and be consistent with it. Make it priority to incorporate sunscreen into your skincare routine today, you will not regret it!
