Regardless of your age, sun care should always be part of your skincare regimen.  In this article, I will offer some tips on how to care for your skin in the sun and some general tips about sun care.

Make Sunscreen a Part of Your Everyday Routine

You may lather up for a day at the beach, but it’s best to always be protected.  Sun exposure can sneak up on you during the day whether it is driving in a car, sitting by a window, and walking to and from work.  Five minutes here and there will add up.  It is recommended that liberal and repetitive application of sunscreen with an SPF 30 or above, no matter the season, be applied.

What Does SPF Mean?

The SPF on sunscreen stands for sun protection factor, a relative measurement for the amount of time the sunscreen will protect you from ultraviolet (UV) rays. UVB rays primarily affect the outer layer of the skin, the epidermis. They are responsible for sunburns and some surface-level skin cancers.

The sun also emits UVA rays, which can penetrate into the lower level of the skin, called the dermis. UVA rays are typically associated with tanning. However, the darker color of the skin is a sign of damage to cells in the dermis. SPF numbers typically refer only to UVB rays, but some sunscreens can protect against UVA as well.
It is recommended that you reapply sunscreen every two hours. The number of UVB rays you’re protected from also increases with SPF, though only slightly. SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks 97%, and SPF 100 blocks 99%.

Visit Your Dermatologist

Dermatologist

Early detection is key. It is recommended that people get dermatology screenings for skin cancers around every one to two years, depending on your skin tone and appointment findings.  These screening should begin in your 20s. This is also a great way for you to keep the conversation going with your dermatologist on what you can be doing as the years go by to further protect yourself from the sun.

Wear Sunglasses Regularly

Sunglasses

Wearing sunglasses can help to ward off visual ailments such as photokeratitis, a condition that can cause sunburn of the eye that can cause loss of vision for up to 48 hours, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration.  Look for glasses that provide both UVA and UVB protection and opt for wraparound or close-fitting sunglasses with wide lenses that protect your eyes from every angle.

Prevent Collagen Breakdown

Another good reason to apply the SPF daily: It helps prevent the breakdown of collagen.  Collagen gives skin its youthful thickness, firmness, strength and even texture, but loss of collagen leads to thinned skin, permanent wrinkles, easy skin tearing, and poor wound healing. Collagen breakdown occurs naturally with aging and UV rays actually accelerate the collagen breakdown process making your skin look older sooner.

Use Vitamin C

Vitamin C

Anytime is the best time to start using skin care products that can reverse existing sun damage.  However, your forties is a great time to start if you haven’t already.  It is recommended that you add a potent vitamin C serum to your regimen, which has been shown to increase collagen production, help reverse sun damage and can also provide a bit of UV protection.  Including antioxidants and fatty acid omegas in your diet could also help to protect your skin from the inside out.

Beware of Products that Cause Your Skin to Be Sun Sensitive

Many people use retinoids to help with fine lines and wrinkles. But products that contain retinoids can make your face more sun sensitive.  It’s recommended that you always using sunscreen with retinol.

Conclusion

This information about sun care may help you prevent skin problems now and it the future.  Personally, I try to stay out of the sun as much as possible.  However, I realize that that isn’t a possibility for everyone so take precautions.  Use sunscreen.  Get yearly dermatological skin checks.  All-in-all, be careful!