Summer Skincare: Sunblock vs. Sunscreen and Everything In Between!
The Long-and-Short-Term Benefits of Skin Protection (And Why You Should Care).
When it comes to sporting a youthful summer glow, one may assume that basking on the sunny shore with your tanning oil and beach blanket is the key to radiant-looking skin. But that would be a big mistake!
In fact, what if I told you that the secret to long-lasting skin beauty is NOT found in the tan you’ve been chasing since Memorial Day, but in the daily skin protection you’re using (like sunblock and sunscreen) on your face and body.
It’s true. Sunscreens are the first line of defense against harmful UV rays that can cause short-term skin damage like painful sunburns, as well as long-term skin damage that causes premature aging and even puts you at a higher risk for skin cancers like melanoma.
Here is everything you need to know about protecting your skin this summer:
What are the different types of UV rays?
Sunscreens vary in their ability to protect against UVA and UVB rays. So, before we cover the different types of sunscreens, we must first talk about the two types of rays.
- UVA rays – These rays burn more deeply into the skin causing long-term damage like wrinkles, fine-lines, skin discoloration, sagging and leathering.
- UVB rays – These rays are the principle culprit for irritating sunburns.
Understand, skin reddening may indicate how much UVB rays you’re getting, but it won’t tell you how much UVA you’re absorbing. A broad-spectrum sunscreen however will protect against both types of UV rays – which is really important for well-rounded healthy skin!
Sunblock vs. Sunscreen
Everyone, regardless of your skin tone, needs to protect themselves against UV rays. And there are two types of skin protection for the job: Sunblock and Sunscreen. One absorbs the UV rays and the other reflects them away from the skin.
Sunscreen is a chemical blocker that absorbs the UV light before it penetrates the skin. This is often a thinner cream that leaves no trace after absorption. This breaks down faster after prolonged sun exposure, so you need to reapply more often. Best shields against wrinkle-causing UVA rays, which cause can lead to premature aging.
Sunblock is a physical blocker which acts as a barrier to reflect UV rays away from you. This often leaves a white film. And as a bonus benefit, it’s active ingredients zinc oxide and titanium oxide helps keep your skin looking smooth and healthy by protecting skin proteins like collagen, keratin, and elastin. Best shields against UVB rays which cause sunburns.
Cheers,
Client Services,
Perfect Body Laser & Aesthetics
Tags: Bikini Body, Non-Surgical