Sunscreen for skin health: facts, why to wear it every day, which one to buy Health

We’ve all heard and read that ‘wear sunscreen every day’, but the truth is that applying a dime-sized amount of sunscreen every day is the best and easiest way to protect your skin’s health and appearance, and top dermatologists around the world attest to it. Sunscreen benefits. Most of us know that sunscreen is important to prevent sunburn and damage during summer but often neglect to apply sunscreen during other seasons or indoors, which causes irreparable damage to the skin.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Rinki Kapoor, Consultant Dermatologist, Cosmetic Dermatologist and Dermato-Surgeon at Aesthetic Clinic, emphasizes that sunscreen should be a part of your round preventive skin care regimen and knowing what kind of sunscreen to buy and how to apply it. It is key to prevent many skin problems such as –

Skin cancer: Ultraviolet rays from the sun can damage skin cells and cause skin cancer. Using sunscreen reduces exposure to UV rays and cuts the risk of skin cancer in half.

· Photographing: UV rays change the skin’s texture to a thicker, leathery look that fades. UV rays also cause the breakdown of collagen and elastin leading to lines, wrinkles, pigmentation and sagging skin. People who use sunscreen properly every day are 24% less likely to develop signs of aging than people who don’t.

· Uneven skin tone: Sunscreen helps prevent tanning and excessive melanin production, therefore keeping skin tone even.

She said, ‘The use of sunscreen is not new. The first sunscreen was commercially introduced in 1936 and since then its effectiveness has been studied and proven many times over. Dr. According to Rinki Kapoor, here are some facts to note:

• The sun’s rays can still penetrate the clouds and so it is not okay to apply sunscreen on a cloudy day.
• Snow reflects 80% of harmful UV rays and thus increases the chance of sun damage. The higher the altitude the greater the exposure.
• You should also wear sunscreen on airplanes because even when you’re inside the plane, the sun’s rays reach you without any filters.
• Even if you have dark skin, you should wear sunscreen every day.
• Sunscreen needs to be reapplied every 2-3 hours. Chemical-based sunscreens can cause sweating or perspiration quickly.

When talking about which sunscreen to buy, he recommends:

• Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen. The main danger is from the ultraviolet light of sunscreen. They damage skin cells and cause premature aging. A broad spectrum sunscreen on a daily basis protects skin cells. Broad spectrum covers UVA and UVB lights
• Physical sunscreens provide instant coverage. They are made of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide that forms a shield on the surface of the skin. This way you don’t have to wait for the mandatory 30 minutes but they leave a white film on the surface of the skin. Also, physical sunscreens are water resistant.
• Chemical sunscreens absorb the sun’s rays and cover them in heat. They are also good for indoor use. However, do not use them if you are prone to acne or rosacea.
• Sunscreens are water resistant and not waterproof: this means they are effective for about 40-80 minutes in water depending on the label, after which you need to reapply.
• Use an SPF of 30 or higher as it provides 97% protection from the sun’s rays.

Sunscreen is also effective at protecting against blue light, so always wear sunscreen when in doubt.