As a plastic surgeon, I evaluate faces everyday to help my patients improve the quality and health of their skin. One product I always recommend adding to your morning skincare regimen is a sunscreen!
Through my career, I have learned that patients either love sunscreen or hate it. Proper education about the benefits of sunscreen is the best way to transform sunscreen haters into daily users!
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1. protection against uva/uvb rays
The first, and most well-known, benefit of sunscreen is protection from the sun. The sun emits three types of UV radiation: UVA, UVB, and UVC. Thankfully, the Earth’s ozone protects us from the UVC rays by preventing them from even reaching our skin. Unfortunately, UVA and UVB rays do reach the Earth and interact with your face everyday.
Sunburns can be attributed to UVB rays. These rays are associated with skin damage, sunburn, and skin cancer. Using sunscreen regularly combats the ability for these rays to damage the top layers of the skin. Though the strength of UVB rays can vary according to season, location, and time of day, I always recommend protecting yourself against UVB rays, even during the winter.
2. prevents early signs of aging
It’s no secret that excessive sun exposure causes premature signs of aging. The UVA rays, that account for 95% of the UV radiation that reaches Earth, are the ones that cause wrinkles and some types of sun damage.
Patients often ask if wearing sunscreen when indoors or during bad weather is recommended. Since UVA rays can pass through clouds and glass, I recommend protecting yourself against these harmful rays at all times. Wearing sunscreen when running errands, working, or even relaxing at home is always a good way to help delay the first signs of aging.
3. maintains even complexion
Sun exposure is also known to cause hyper-pigmentation and sunspots, which are flat, brown areas on the skin. The presence of sunspots often prevents patients from experiencing the even complexion they are hoping for. Though we do have corrective treatments for targeting sunspots, maintaining an even complexion is best done with sunscreen.
Sunscreen works to both prevent the generation of new sun spots and delay the presence of wrinkles.These two functions compliment each other well to improve the overall appearance and health of the skin.
Wearing a daily sunscreen is one of my first recommendations for patients seeking to improve the appearance of their face! I cannot emphasize enough the benefits for both skin health and skin aesthetic that sunscreen provides. Products, such as the ZO SmartTone, are great additions to your morning skincare routine. ZO SmartTone not only provides broad spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays, but also protects the skin from harmful HEV light emitted by screens and monitors. Many patients even replace their foundation or tinted moisturizer with ZO SmartTone since it provides a subtle tint and glow to the skin.
AS SUMMER APPROACHES, MAKE SURE YOUR SKINCARE REGIMEN INCLUDES A BROAD SPECTRUM SUNSCREEN!
For additional information about ZO Skin Health, please visit:
https://www.jlplasticsurgery.com/non-surgical-procedures-greater-boston/zo-skin-health/