Wearing a sunscreen lotion is one of the best and easiest ways to defend your skin’s exterior and healthiness at any age. If used regularly, sunscreen helps avert sunburn, premature ageing and even skin cancer. Sunscreens protect your skin by blocking Ultraviolet radiation (UV rays) from being absorbed and scattered into the skin. Though they cannot block UV rays to a hundred per cent, they can still help you stay out in the sun for a longer time without worry of sun damage.

What is Sun Damage?

The sun emits harmful Ultraviolet radiation (UV Rays) that can wreak havoc on your skin. Also called photo damage, these UV rays, UVA and UVB, if exposed for long, can have detrimental effects on the skin in terms of visible and invisible issues. It can result in sunburn, premature ageing (fine lines, wrinkles, hyper-pigmentation), dryness, dehydration, uneven skin tone, dark spots, freckles, and skin cancer. It can also weaken the skin’s natural defence mechanism, making it more susceptible to damage.

What is a Sunscreen?

A topical skincare product that protects the skin from the harmful Ultraviolet rays, it acts as a protective barrier, absorbing, reflecting or scattering UV Rays. It prevents the UV rays from damaging or penetrating the skin.

What are the key components of a sunscreen lotion?

The sunscreen contains chemical (organic) and physical (inorganic) filters. Chemical filters absorb UV radiation and convert it into heatt is released from the skin. Inorganic filters include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide that rest on the skin’s surface, reflecting and scattering the UV rays.

Sunscreen lotions are assigned an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) rating, which indicates their effectiveness in shielding people from UVB rays. The higher the SPF, the greater the protection. If SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays, SPF 50 will block 98% of UVB rays. Sunscreens are often labelled as broad spectrum, which means they protect against UVA and UVB rays. Formulated to be water-resistant, sunscreens can also be worn for swimming or heavy sweating activities.

Why sunscreen matters?

• Shields from UV Rays: By absorbing and deflecting UV rays, sunscreens help prevent the immediate and long-term damage caused by sun exposure.

• Preventing sunburn: Sunburn is one of the most apparent consequences of UV exposure. When applied correctly, sunscreen can help prevent this damage to the exterior of your skin.

• Slows down ageing: Sunscreen is also a great defence against age spots, wrinkles and fine lines. It prevents the breakdown of collagen and elastin, essential proteins that maintain skin’s firmness and elasticity.

• Lowers the risk of skin cancer: The risk imposed by skin cancers like basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma is primarily caused by exposure to UV rays. The risk of such cancers can be significantly reduced if sunscreens are used with other sun safety measures.

MICAA’s sunscreen recommendations:

At MICAA Skin Care Clinic Calicut, we have the top dermatologists who are always ready to share their expert advice on skincare routines.

Here are some of our top recommendations for adequate sun protection:

1. Broad-spectrum protection: Choose sunscreen creams labelled “broad spectrum as they can protect from both UVA and UVB rays.
2. SPF 30 or higher: Use sunscreen lotions with an SPF of 30 or higher for sufficient protection against sun damage.
3. Water-resistant sunscreen: Check if your sunscreen is water-resistant if you enjoy swimming or other water sports.
4. Daily Application: Make sunscreen a part of your skincare routine. Remember that even on cloudy days, harmful UV rays can penetrate the cloud cover.
5. Reapplication: Apply sunscreen again in case you have started to sweat profusely or you have returned from swimming.
6. Choose wisely: Make sure to check the packaging for the ingredients in the sunscreen. Select sunscreens with hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic ingredients to avoid irritation and clogged pores.
7. Consult your dermatologist: For personalized sunscreen recommendations, consult top dermatologists at MICAA skin care clinic.

To protect your skin from harmful Ultraviolet rays of the sun is non-negotiable. Sunscreen can help maintain the radiance of your skin if applied correctly. At MICAA skin care clinic, we are committed to promoting healthy and beautiful skin. We encourage you to make sunscreen a part of your daily routine. If you have any questions or need personalized advice, don’t hesitate to get in touch. MICAA has the best dermatologists and best skin care specialists in Calicut.