Summer time – that also means SunScreen time!  I consider sunscreens even more important than Botox for anti-aging.  And of course there’s no reason why Sunscreen and Botox can’t be used at the same time.

Sunscreen vs. Sunblock: Sunscreen is the modern term.

The term Sunblock seems to be going out.  It’s considered to be somewhat misleading because the term “block” implies total protection.  Sunscreen is used in place of sunblock these days.  A while ago, sunscreen was used to talk about chemical sunscreens and Sunblock was used to describe the ingredients titanium and zinc.

UVA vs UVB

Both are ultraviolet light spectrums – which are really part of a singular continuum.  But for the sake of categorization, UVA is longer wavelengths than UVB.  UVA has more penetration ability.  Both aren’t entire good for your skin in regards to aging and cancers.  So you want to shield from both.  SPF unfortunately only reflects UVB blocking ability.

Mineral vs. Chemical

I like the idea of mineral sunscreens where it doesn’t form a chemical compound with your skin and that it works more like a mirror.  But if you really dislike ultraviolet light damaging your skin, consider both.  My favorite is Zinc Oxide.

Here’s the Chart for Sunscreen active ingredient and it’s action against UVA and UVB.

I found this wonderful chart on the internet.  I’m not sure of the source and I’ve seen it repeated in several different places.  I had to write this blog just so that I could have a copy of this picture somewhere so that I could refer to it when talking about Sunscreen.  As you can see from the chart, it is easy to have Zinc Oxide as your favorite because of its broad spectrum.

What about Vitamin D from the sun?

The Academy of Dermatology current position updated in 2011 recommendation on Vitamin D:

There is no scientifically validated, safe threshold level of UV exposure from the sun
or indoor tanning devices that allows for maximal vitamin D synthesis without
increasing skin cancer risk.

They basically recommend oral supplementation of vitamin D.

After Microdermabrasion and other skin procedures

After a Microdermabrasion or a chemical peel, we recommend that patients protect their skin with a zinc oxide sunscreens.  We also reinforce that with sunscreens, thicker is better – in other words – the strength of a sunscreen is dose dependent.

More Sunscreen Resources:

• Visit our Surgical Artistry office in Modesto, CA – we have a bunch of sunscreens to choose from. 
• Visit a webpage which I wrote regarding sunscreen ingredients to fight aging

Thank you for reading my little review of my knowledge of Sunscreens.