Should you wear sunscreen every day?
YES! And here’s why…
Many people think that you only have to wear sunscreen when it’s summer / hot / bright sunshine / when you’re abroad - but English sun is the same as foreign sun and it is harmful even when behind clouds. You should be wearing sun protection on your face (at least) and other skin which is vulnerable to ageing and wrinkles. This is because ultraviolet rays are always present (even when it’s winter / cloudy), and these cause sun damage and skin cancer.
UVA and UVB
UVA is the wavelength that penetrates clouds and glass and causes significant photo-aging in the form of wrinkles and sun spots. UVA doesn't cause sunburn, but it leads to darkening and aging, because it penetrates deeper into the skin and has more influence in the collagen.
UVB rays are responsible for producing sunburn. The UVB rays also plays the greatest role in causing skin cancers, including the deadly black mole form of skin cancer (malignant melanoma).
There are approximately 500 times more UVA rays in sunlight than UVB rays. Therefore, in addition to protecting your skin from the effects of UVB rays, it is also very important to protect from the damaging effects of the more numerous UVA rays.
90% of visible changes to the skin are due to photoaging (cumulative sun damage throughout your life).
Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Non-melanoma skin cancer refers to a group of cancers that slowly develop in the upper layers of the skin. The term non-melanoma distinguishes these more common types of skin cancer from the less common skin cancer known as melanoma, which can be more serious. In the UK, around 147,000 new cases of non-melanoma skin cancer are diagnosed each year. Non-melanoma skin cancers usually develop in the outermost layer of skin (epidermis) and are often named after the type of skin cell from which they develop. Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) light is the main cause of non-melanoma skin cancer.
You can reduce your chance of developing it by avoiding overexposure to UV light. You can protect yourself from sunburn by using sunscreen, dressing sensibly in the sun, and limiting the amount of time you spend in the sun during the hottest part of the day. Sunbeds and sunlamps should also be avoided. Regularly checking your skin for signs of skin cancer can help lead to an early diagnosis and increase your chance of successful treatment. Source: nhs.uk.
Skin Damage / Ageing
Years of sun damage (from as little as stepping outside in winter without a sunscreen on), will cause permanent damage to your skin and can age you prematurely. Wearing sunscreen every day slows down the ageing process massively.
Although we may think that our genes and other external / environmental factors (such as smoking and drinking etc) are the main reasons why and how our skin changes as we age (and the naughty partying certainly doesn’t help!), the Skin Cancer Foundation reports that 90% of visible changes to the skin are due to photoaging (cumulative sun damage throughout your life).
“Premature ageing of the skin is caused by light exposure. This can include visible (HEV) and infrared light, which are parts of the light spectrum. Light is around us at all times, making sun damage a year-round concern for healthy skin. Chronological skin ageing can’t be helped, but photoaging accelerates the process. The good news is that it’s completely preventable.”
- Melanie Palm MD, Medical Director, Art of Skin MD, California USA
Wearing sunscreen every day does more than prevent skin cancer — it prevents signs of ageing as well - many people say it is their number one anti-aging weapon.
There are easy and highly effective ways to include skincare into your daily and makeup routines. After your daily cleansing routine, apply a sunscreen which is lightweight and non-greasy - especially if you are going to apply makeup on top.
Our favourites are Environ Suncare: RAD SHIELD Mineral Sunscreen as it covers all the bases (pun intended), and if you prefer not to put sunscreen underneath your makeup, the genius that is Jane Iredale has produced a powder sunscreen which you can brush on to your face afterwards - Jane Iredale Powder-Me SPF Dry Sunscreen. It comes in 4 shades (one being translucent) and has its own kabuki brush built in - perfect for throwing into your bag for regular and easy reapplication.
Many other Jane Iredale mineral makeup products also have sunscreen built in. This is exactly why we love her makeup - looks good and protects!
I’m always available for a chat about your skincare and sun-protection. Call me on 0114 228 0468, email info@sueatkinson.com or drop in and see me.
- Sue
Sue Atkinson Aesthetics & Wellness Clinic is an official Environ Suncare Range Stockist.
Developed by Dr. Des Fernandes after treating a patient with fatal skin cancer, his research into sun safety is renowned throughout the medical and skin care industries.
RAD SPF 15 is a face and body sun protection cream with a combination of sun filters and sun reflectors to provide broad spectrum protection against both burning UVB and ageing UVA rays. Added vitamin antioxidants increase the sun protective power – equivalent to SPF 30 – within this innovative formula and assists in fighting free-radicals within the environment.
“Ageing skin is a direct result of sun-induced vitamin-A deficiency. Protect against the deficiency and you’ll have more radiant skin”
Dr. Des Fernandes, Environ Founder