Living in South Florida, it is especially important to be aware of the sun and the damage that can occur to your skin. When the weather is bright, we lounge at the beach, run out for a round of golf or putter in the garden. Such simple acts of leisure can lead to more serious consequences than sunburn. And even if we aren’t sunworshippers, most people will receive 20 minutes or more sun exposure while performing routine activities, like getting the mail, walking to and from the car, etc. And if you think you aren’t affected, give us a call at 305.444.5950 for your complimentary consultation with a Woods Light evaluation of your true level of sun damage!
UVA & UVB: What’s the difference? The sun gives off two kinds of damaging rays: UVA and UVB rays. Don’t know the differences between the two? Here’s the low down…. UVA and UVB wavelengths can both penetrate through almost anything, therefore, protection from them is important all year round, especially when you are living in the sun belt. UV rays also reflect off almost any surface, such as water, cement, and sand. UVB rays give us what we think of as sunburn: they make the skin turn red and feel hot and warn you that it’s time to get out of the sun or slather more sunscreen on your body. UVA rays are much sneakier, leaving no immediate visible effects, but in fact account for 80% of ultraviolet damage to the skin. UVA light penetrates clouds, windows of cars and buildings, whether the sun’s out or not, and dermatologists believe that THESE are the rays that cause tissue damage, wrinkles and skin cancer.
A common misconception is that “sunscreen” and “sunblock” are equally effective for sun protection. NOT TRUE! Sunscreen contains materials that act as a filter to allow a certain range of UV light to be absorbed into the skin. Sunscreens can be classified into two major types: chemical and physical. There are several sunscreens which will effectively work against the “sunburning” UVB rays, including PABA, benzophenones and cinnamate, and more recently there are sunscreens targeting those ultra-damaging UVA rays. Among these are avobenzone and mexoryl sx.
SUNBLOCK, which protects you more fully, contains metallic materials that reflect and scatter the UV light and act as a wall between the sun and your skin. These are products containing ingredients such a titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which physically block the suns’ harmful rays.
CHOOSING a SUNBLOCK: get one that is at least an SPF of 30, with both UVA and UVB protection. The SPF only refers to the protection offered against the UVB rays, so make sure that there is also some zinc oxide or one of the UVA dsunscreens in there.
Because we live in the “Sunshine State” a sunblock should be used!!! Most people will receive 20 minutes or more sun exposure while performing routine activities. Sunblocks can be applied easily under makeup. Daily use of sun protection is the principal means of preventing premature aging and skin cancer. Studies have shown that sun protection used on a regular basis actually allows some repair of damaged skin.
If you want to protect your skin from here on, and turn back the clock on the damage you already have, give us a call at Dr. John Martin’s office at 305.444.5950, and tell them Nurse Mia sent you!
