Are You Choosing the Right SPF?

Spending time in the sunshine may be one of the best feelings ever, but it can have long lasting effects on your skin. No matter which way you feel about it, protecting yourself from the sun is a critical part of any skin care routine. Using sunscreen helps shield your skin from harmful UV rays, fends off nasty sunburns, and protects against premature aging - so it's a must-have in your beauty arsenal. However, finding the right sunscreen is easier said than done. Figuring out what level of SPF coverage you need and what ingredients to look for can be baffling, so keep on reading to get a sense of what products you should be looking for.

Why All the Hype Behind SPF?

We hear it all the time: Don't forget your sunscreen! But why exactly do skin experts praise SPF, anyway? Sunscreen protects the skin from UV damage. UVA and UVB rays can cause skin cancer and lead to premature aging, wrinkles and sun spots. It is estimated that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lives, so it is important to incorporate sunscreen into your daily routine. 

Wearing sunscreen on a daily basis can clearly shield you from potentially dangerous UV rays, and as an added bonus, it can also keep your skin looking fab. Sun protection is your best strategy in keeping your skin youthful. Sun exposure contributes greatly to wrinkles, loss of firmness and brown spots. Of course, sunscreen alone can't entirely protect you. You should also be mindful of seeking shade and wearing protective clothing - but it certainly is a vital step of your skin care routine.

Know What to Look For 

So you've decided to listen to the pros and are ready to find your perfect day to day sunscreen. Now the question is: how do you select the right one for you? These are a few things you should be asking yourself when considering which ones to buy:

• Do the ingredients protect against harmful UV rays?

Look for products that have ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to absorb rays and reflect them off the skin, as well as octocrylene and octisalate to maintain longevity of the product on your skin.

• Are you selecting the best amount of protection for your lifestyle?

When shopping for SPF, the type of protection and SPF you choose will depend on the expected length of exposure. For everyday use, choose a product with an SPF of at least 30. For more prolonged exposure, especially if sweating or swimming, choose an SPF of at least 50, as well as one that is branded as water resistant.

• Will you actually wear it every single day?

The key to choosing the best product is choosing one you’ll have no problem wearing every day. Nowadays, SPF is in most makeup products - but you should still be using a separate sunscreen in addition to your daily makeup that already contains SPF.

• Physical or chemical?

Chemical sunscreens are chemicals that have been specifically designed to absorb and screen ultraviolet rays from the sun. Physical sunscreens use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to create a physical barrier to block the ultraviolet rays. Both are good, but one advantage of the physical blocks is that they block the full spectrum of incoming rays, whereas the chemical sunscreens may only block a limited range.

• Does it irritate your skin?

Look for non-comedogenic formulas that won't clog the pores. In addition, those with more sensitive skin might do best to avoid chemical sunscreens. When you buy a new sunscreen, it’s always smart to do a 48 hour patch test to make sure your skin has no adverse reaction to any of its ingredients.

If You Already Have Sun Damage

Is there any way you can turn back the clock? Of course! There are treatments offered by professionals that can help with any sun damage. Chemical peels can remove damaged cells from the upper layers of your skin, revealing new skin. Microdermabrasion uses tiny crystals to remove the outer layer of skin, and also prompts the growth of collagen. Laser therapy uses short bursts of concentrated light remove specific layers or areas of the skin to reveal fresh skin beneath. At Sculpt Cosmedics, we can help you achieve a radiant complexion you've always dreamed of.

Call (718) 998-9898 now to book a one-on-one appointment!