Skincare has become a must in our nightly routines. Both women and men have finally understood the importance of taking care of their skin – after all, it is the largest organ of the human body. Besides the obvious cosmetic benefits, there are many medical perks to having healthy and glowing skin.
Among its many functions, our skin defends us from countless external aggressions, providing a protective barrier against mechanical, thermal, and physical injuries and hazards – like UV radiation. However, our body still needs some help to defend us from the prejudicial effects of direct sun exposure. SPF should be a must in any skincare routine, and in this blog, you will find out why!
What is SPF Protection?
Before getting to why it is essential to use SPF, we first need to understand what it means and how it works. SPF stands for Solar Protection Factor and has been defined by the FDA as “a measure of how much solar energy (UV radiation) is required to produce sunburn on protected skin (i.e., in the presence of sunscreen) relative to the amount of solar energy required to produce sunburn on unprotected skin.”
To put it simply, SPF makes your skin less susceptible to sunburn. As you use higher SPF, more solar UV radiation would be needed to burn your skin, so you are more protected from sun exposure.
Why Use SPF if Our Skin Already Acts as a Natural Barrier?
Your skin can protect you from UV radiation but only to a certain extent. Getting tanned is your body’s natural defense against sun exposure (yes, tanning is not as healthy as you may think), but getting burnt is nothing but harmful. When your skin gets red, your body triggers an inflammatory process that has detrimental effects on your health, including DNA damage, increased risk of skin cancer, and early signs of aging. Wearing SPF enhances your natural barrier and prevents most of these effects.
Benefits of Using SPF Protection in your Daily Skincare Routine
- Lowers your skin cancer risk.
- Prevents the early appearance of wrinkles and expression lines.
- Helps maintain an even skin tone.
- Avoids redness and blotchy skin.
Do I Need to Wear Sunscreen All the Time?
Yes, sunscreen should always be part of your skincare routine. No matter if you’re spending the day inside or going out on an overcast day, UV radiation is not only present on sunny days, and it can still damage your skin when it’s chilly or cloudy.
Which Type of SPF Should I Use in my Skincare Routine?
For daily use, we advise patients to choose a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, but if you spend time under direct sun exposure, it is recommended to use a sunscreen with SPF 50 or greater.
Skincare Advice in Northbrook, IL
If you’re not wearing SPF daily, we hope you realize it’s time to start after reading this blog. If you need a personal assessment regarding this topic, schedule a consultation with Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Michael Epstein and his team by calling us at (847) 205-1680 or filling out the online form!
