Introduction -

Sitting in sunlight is promoted a lot these days due to the nationwide prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, but this exposure is not very great for our Skin specialist doctor in south delhi. The reason behind this is the harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun which are damaging to the skin and lead to premature signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles. This highlights the need for sunscreen that acts as a protective shield against these skin-damaging rays, proving to be effective against both UVA and UVB rays. Market is flooded with various sunscreens offering different SPF and consisting of active ingredients too, but choosing the best out of them is a tough call. So we sought an answer to this question from our very favourite Dr. Neha Khuraana, founder of House of Aesthetics and a leading name in the dermatologist industry of South Delhi.

Role of sunscreen for our skin -

Ultraviolet rays of the sun are primarily of two types - UVA and UVB rays and sunscreen provides protection against both of them. UVA rays of the sun have the capacity to penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin and they are a common trigger factor for premature skin aging, pigmentation patches on the skin as well as skin cancer. UVB rays are those that damage the outermost layer of the skin, causing sunburn and even progressing to cancer. If sunscreen is absent from the skincare routine, prolonged exposure to such harmful rays can damage the DNA of the cells and also cause cellular oxidation, resulting in free radicals. By this process, the skin cells get damaged and various kinds of skin conditions occur.

Kind of sunscreen needed -

For protection against damage caused by UV rays of the sun, sunscreen used should cover two aspects -

(1)  Broad spectrum - Firstly, a broad spectrum sunscreen is recommended, which implies that it should shield the skin from both UVA and UVB rays. Additionally, sunscreen should be applied daily as the harmful rays of the sun can even pass through clouds and lead to negative skin changes.

(2)  Minimum SPF of 30 - SPF stands for sun protection factor and determines the degree of protection from UVB rays of the sun. To simplify this, an SPF of 30 implies that this sunscreen gives protection from 97 percent UVB rays. But this doesn’t mean that you should go for a bigger number, rather reapply sunscreen every two hours for maximizing benefits.

Tips for choosing the right sunscreen -

(1)  Skin type - Those individuals who possess oily skin, that is more prone to acne, require a very lightweight gel-based and non-clogging sunscreen and the best one stays that has inclusion of zinc oxide or niacinamide. Dry skin possessing individuals need a cream based formulation with addition of moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid or ceramides. Sensitive skin is more prone to irritation and thus they require a sunscreen that is mineral based such as the ones containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

(2)  Sunscreen components - Certain sunscreens are based on minerals such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide and their role is to sit on the outer surface of the skin and reflect back the harmful rays of the sun. Such a sunscreen stays great for individuals with sensitive skin type and even children. Besides these physical sunscreens, there is another category of sunscreens that possess chemicals namely avobenzone, octinoxate, oxybenzone etc. that play the role of absorbing the harmful UV rays of the sun and converting them into heat. Sensitive skin type is not suitable for using such chemical sunscreens.

(3)  Lifestyle and other factors - If you stay in an atmosphere that is full of environmental pollutants such as dirt, smog etc., choose a sunscreen that has components protecting the skin from free radical damage such as vitamin C, niacinamide, green tea extract etc. If your work demands you to be a lot outdoors, sunscreen chosen should be water-based with a SPF of 50 or more and needs reapplication every two hours. While you are indoors, sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 is needed. The use of sunscreen while indoors is because of the UVA rays even surpassing the house windows.

Tips for sunscreen usage -

-       Make sunscreen a mandatory part of your morning skin care regime and add it as your final layer above the moisturizer and serum.

-       It is recommended that for covering your face and neck, you need two full finger lengths of sunscreen and also cover other areas which are exposed to the sun such as ears, back of the neck, hands or feet.

-       If you are outdoors, any type of sunscreen needs to be reapplied every 2-3 hours.

-       For children, use a mineral based sunscreen having SPF of 50 as their skin is much more sensitive than adults.

Conclusion -

If you need to make full advantage of sunscreen, apply it religiously for 365 days a year and consider reapplication every two hourly too. Any skin condition you are fighting with such as acne spots, melasma, hyperpigmentation, fine lines etc., these all can be healed with consistency in sunscreen application. Dr. Neha Khuraana rightly mentions sunscreen as a lifetime investment for younger looking and radiant skin. Just make sure you know your Skin specialist doctor in south delhi type and choose it accordingly so that it benefits you, rather than harming your skin. Dr. Khuraana gives a personalized treatment plan at her clinic and guides her clients better in all aspects. If you need a consultation, book yours now and you can even get an online spot!