You probably already know that wearing sunscreen is the single most important thing you can do to protect your skin from skin cancer, not to mention wrinkles, sagging and other signs of premature aging. Skin resurfacing can repair most sun damage, but you can prevent sun damage by wearing the right sunscreen.
New products on the market give you more choices than ever. Traditionally, sunscreens are chosen based on their SPF rating, but SPF only addresses protection against UVB rays, the ultraviolet rays that cause sunburn. To get a product that protects you against UVA rays – the deep penetrating rays that cause wrinkles – you need to look at the label for these ingredients: zinc oxide, ecamsule or avobenzone.
As far as the SPF rating, it depends largely on skin type:
Normal Skin – If you have normal skin, sunscreen with a rating of SPF 15 should suffice. It should be noted that higher ratings do not necessarily translate into much greater protection. In other words, while 15 SPF filters out 93 percent of UVB rays, 30 SPF filters out about 97 percent – not a dramatic increase.
Sensitive Skin – Those with an increased sensitivity to sunlight include children, those with very fair skin and anyone who’s had cosmetic surgery. People in this category should use an SPF rating of 30 or higher.
When applying sunscreen, don’t skimp. Use a generous amount and apply on every area that is exposed to the light. Reapply every two hours, or more often if you are doing sports. Remember to re-apply sunscreen immediately after swimming. Most of all, try to avoid staying out in the sun during the noontime hours, as this is the time the sun’s rays can do the most damage to your skin.