Do I Really Need to Wear Sunscreen Everyday?

Written by Nicole Hackett, Master Esthetician

Most people only think about putting on sunscreen when they are on vacation at the beach or out by the pool, but really you should be applying sunscreen Every. Single. Day. Rain or shine. If you want to protect yourself from skin cancer (which is the most common type of cancer), sun damage and overall aging, you need to be wearing SPF daily.

The sun is the number one cause of aging… it causes fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation issues, and uneven tone and texture to the skin. Everyone likes to have a nice tan color to their skin, but in the long run you will regret it. Plus, nowadays there are so many different ways to get a nice glow, including spray tanning, tanning lotions, gels, sprays, etc. It is very easy to tell when someone has spent their life out in the sun with no protection. Their skin tends to have a leathery texture, and they often appear older than they truly are.

Wondering about the winter months? The same rule still applies! There are two kinds of ultraviolet rays that are emitted by the sun, UVB and UVA rays. UVB rays cause sunburns and are obviously more intense in the summer months. However, when you are in areas with snow, sand and water, you are increasing your chance of getting a sunburn because they reflect the rays from the sun. UVA rays cause aging of the skin penetrate deeper into your skin, and they have the same intensity year-round. Whenever you are out in daylight, you are being exposed to UVA rays, and they penetrate even stronger through glass – meaning every time you are in your car, you should be wearing SPF. And even while indoors, florescent lights are emitting rays!

Sunscreen is the number one anti-aging product you can own. We recommend that you use a broad-spectrum SPF that protects from both UVB and UVA rays, SPF 30 or higher, water resistant (especially if you will be outdoors) and reapply every 2 hours if you will be outside for long periods of time. Not only should you be wearing SPF when outside, but you should try to stay in the shade when possible, wear sunglasses with UV protection, and hats to protect your face from the sun.

Dr. Berman’s skincare line has a great tinted sunscreen that we highly recommend. It has SPF 50, UVB and UVA protection, a light coverage tint that blends with almost all skin tones for a healthy touch of color, and can be worn alone or as a makeup primer. Not only does it protect your skin from the sun, it also provides hydration and antioxidant benefits to the skin including green tea polyphenols, vitamins C + E, and CoQ10 which are great ingredients post-procedure for laser facials and chemical peels as it will help to bring down any redness and heal the skin faster. Our clients rave about this sunscreen and how creamy and smooth it goes on to their skin. This sunscreen is by far one of our best sellers!

There is truly no safe way to tan. Every time you tan, you are damaging your skin. As this damage builds, you are speeding up the fine lines, wrinkles and pigmentation in your skin and increasing your risk for all types of skin cancer. So, it’s time to ditch all of the tanning oils and tanning beds and time to get on board with SPF. If there is one skin care product we could recommend it would be sunscreen — 100%!

Want to chat more about our options for healthy, glowing skin? Call us at 703-406-2444 to schedule your complimentary, private consultation with one of our Master Estheticians – we’d be happy to help you find the right products for your skin!