Clients of my facial exercises program always ask what the most important anti-aging product is. The answer is easy: sunscreen. People often mistakenly think that since summer is over, they can store their sunscreen for the season. This is the worst mistake you can make—sunscreen is essential all year long, rain or shine.
The sun emits three types of ultraviolet (UV) rays: UVA, UVB and UVC. While UVC are the least talked about, they are the most powerful. Thankfully, the planet’s atmosphere shields us from most of these harmful rays. However, we are not naturally protected against UVA and UVB rays, which cause everything from sunburns and sun spots to fine lines, wrinkles and melanoma.
While UVA and UVB rays are strongest during the summer, the sun never powers down. According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, 40 percent of these powerful UV rays can reach the earth on a cloudy day. This means they can cause unsightly and serious issues any time of year. UVB are the stronger of the two—they can immediately burn the skin’s top layers. In extreme cases, these burns can result in peeling, blistering and skin cancer. While the surface damage causes by UVA rays seems weaker, they affect the skin’s deeper layers. Too much UVA exposure causes long-term damage, including deep wrinkles, uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation. Worse yet, they cause various forms of carcinoma and melanoma.
Sunscreen is imperative all the time—even when you’re leaving the house just for a few minutes. It only takes about 20 minutes of sun exposure for skin to incur damage. You’re not safe in your car either. UVA rays can penetrate glass windows, so you need to wear sunscreen for the car ride. It’s very common to see clients with uneven skin tone or sun damage on the side of their face that normally faces the car window.
You can reduce the risk of sun damage and discoloration all year long with our Protective Sunblock SPF 30. This lightweight sunscreen doesn’t cause breakouts yet provides excellent protection against the sun’s dangerous rays. Wearing hats and sunglasses can also help prevent UV damage and the squinting that causes wrinkles.
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