Why Wear Sunscreen Throughout the Year

Sunscreen is often associated with sunny summer days spent by the pool or lake, but it is important to wear sunscreen throughout the year. Yes — even in the Midwest!

Whether you are lounging by the pool or running errands on a cloudy day, wearing sunscreen should be a year-round habit to protect your skin from the damaging effects of UV radiation. Wearing sunscreen throughout the year is essential for maintaining healthy, youthful skin, and it’s easy to incorporate sunscreen into your daily skincare routine.

The Importance of Wearing Sunscreen Year-Round

Many people mistakenly believe that sunscreen is only necessary when the sun is shining brightly during our warm summer season. However, UV radiation from the sun can penetrate through clouds, reaching your skin even on overcast days. UV exposure is a leading cause of premature aging, including wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots, as well as more serious conditions like skin cancer.

There are two types of UV rays, UVA and UVB. The type that primarily causes sunburn is UVB rays, and they are largely blocked by glass. However, as reported by the Skin Cancer Foundation, UVA rays can also contribute to the development of skin cancer, and over 50% of UVA rays can penetrate glass. So, even if you are indoors, harmful UVA rays can reach your skin if you are near windows throughout the day.

Don’t worry, though; this doesn’t mean you should go hide in a windowless basement. You can simply apply sunscreen every day – rain or shine – to protect your skin from these harmful effects and maintain a youthful complexion.

Tips for Choosing and Using Sunscreen

When selecting a sunscreen, choose a broad-spectrum formula that will protect against both UVA and UVB rays. We recommend using one with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher, and a water-resistant formula if you will be swimming or sweating.

Apply sunscreen generously to all exposed skin including your face, neck, ears, hands, and toes. If you are spending a lot of time outside, you should reapply as often as every two hours, or more frequently if you are swimming or sweating.

Skincare Products Recommendations

Choosing a moisturizer or makeup with built-in SPF will allow you to easily incorporate sunscreen use into your normal morning routine. Wearing sunscreen daily can help you can safeguard your skin and prevent premature aging caused by sun exposure.

We recommend products from SkinMedica® and Colorescience®, which are lightweight, broad-spectrum sunscreens that provide advanced protection against UV damage while nourishing and hydrating your skin.

Other Ways to Protect Your Skin

In addition to wearing sunscreen, there are other steps you can take to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.

• Seek shade whenever possible, especially during peak sunlight hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• When you are outside, wear protective clothing like long sleeves, hats, and sunglasses to shield your skin and eyes from direct sunlight.
• Be mindful of reflective surfaces like water, sand, and snow, which can increase UV exposure.
• Protect your lips with a lip balm containing SPF to prevent sunburn and chapping.

Minimizing Sun Damage

Despite our best efforts to protect our skin, sun damage can still occur over time. If you notice signs of sun damage such as dark spots, uneven skin tone, or wrinkles, there are treatments available to help minimize their appearance.

Procedures like photo rejuvenation, BBL-Hero® treatments, HydraFacial® treatments, and more can help reduce the visible effects of sun damage. Our team can discuss your options with you to develop a customized treatment plan for your specific needs.

Book your consultation today!