SPF and the Importance of Protecting Your Skin From the Sun
As a professional in the treatment room, I see a lot of different skin conditions. Most of my clients are dealing with texture issues, surface dryness and pustular acne. And as much as those conditions can be irritating, there is one skin condition that remains for people of all ages, sexual identities ad races….HYPERPIGMENTATION. This darkening of different areas of the skin, is usually due to some form of sun damage. And when I ask my clients if they are consistently using sun protection, I am almost always met with some form of a no. Whether it’s using a product that contains minimal sunscreen, not reapplying or no wearing it at all, almost everyone who comes to see me could benefit from a commitment to sunscreen. So here I am, your licensed skincare bestie, giving you the SCOOP on all things SPF.
What is SPF?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. This a measurement of the products’ strength against harm UV rays from the sun. Contrary to popular belief the number on your sunscreen is not a timer, it’s a measure of how well your skin will be protected from the sun. There are 2 different kinds of sunscreen. Chemical sunscreens have ingredients in them that actually penetrate the skin and soak up the rays as they hit the face, while physical sunscreens literally block the rays from reaching the skin (think lifeguard with a white nose). Different sunscreens can benefit your skin in different ways. For example, my guest, we’ll call her Alissa, was experiencing some breakouts. She was already using treatment products for her acne, but she wasn’t consistently wearing sunscreen. I challenged her to 30 days of consistent spf use, and she saw reduced inflammation and got better results from her treatments. It was a win, win! In addition to helping with acne inflammation, sunscreen is the skincare product that is most beneficial in helping with dark spots and hyperpigmentation. You CANNOT treat any kinds of dark spots without the consistent use of sunscreen. Even if you are using an effective treatment for pigmentation, you’re doing more damage than good when you skip sunscreen. These treatments make your skin more sensitive to the sun, and can potentially cause more dark spots if left unprotected. The best and easiest type of treatments are preventative treatments.
Who needs SPF?
Literally everyone, no exceptions. SPF is necessary to protect the skin from UV rays. While it is a lot less likely that brown and dark skinned people will actually burn, it is still possible to absorb cancer causing UV rays.
How and when should I apply SPF?
When building your routine it’s important to choose the right sunscreen for you. Reapplication of sunscreen is very important. Most sunscreens are only active on the face for a few hours. Because of this, this can affect the type of sunscreen that’s best for your routine and lifestyle. For example, if you’re wearing a full face of makeup, a sunscreen with moisturizer is great for in the morning. But in the afternoon when it’s time for touch ups, a mineral powder sunscreen may be better for touchups than something with a more liquid consistency. Sunscreen sprays and setting sprays with spf are great for midday touchups. Another important component of sunscreen is the strength. If you’re spending the day inside, try skipping the extra strength and trying something lighter. Spending a day on the beach? Grab that broad spectrum.
So now you’re asking, “Well exactly what SPF should I get?”…The current skincare market is SO saturated right now, it’s hard to see through the smoke and mirrors. I reviewed some of my favorites for the Cincinnati Herald Beauty section, you can find that article here. I also have some videos reviews on my TikTok and Instagram @brittanywiththebrushes. Be sure to tag me in your sun safe selfies and let me know which one you fall in love with.
