5 Common Myths About Sunscreen!
Posted June 13, 2023 in Skin Care Treatments, Skincare Products, Uncategorized
As warmer weather approaches, it is becoming even more important to remember to wear your sunscreen! Below, we bust 5 common misconceptions about SPF, to help you protect your skin.
1) You don’t need to wear sunscreen when it’s cloudy. 
From the time the sun rises to when it sets, you are being exposed to UV light, regardless of cloud cover – if you can see without a flashlight, UV rays are out, and sunscreen is a must!
2) My makeup contains SPF – I don’t need to wear sunscreen. 
In actuality, the amount of SPF used in makeup products is usually equivalent to the size of a chocolate chip – 6 to 7 times less than the amount professionals recommend to protect your skin! It is always best to wear both your makeup and a daily sunscreen for maximum protection.
3) All sunscreens are equal. 
There are many kinds of sunscreen on the market, but a broad-spectrum SPF is the most effective. If your sunscreen is labeled as “broad-spectrum” it is able to shield your skin from both UVA and UVB rays, making it the best at protecting your skin.
4) I only need to apply my sunscreen once a day. 
SPF only works to protect the skin for up to 2 hours at a time, which is why reapplication is necessary for full protection, especially if you are outdoors – even if you are not sweating, exercising, or swimming. In these cases, it is important to note that any “waterproof” sunscreen is really only water-resistant and should be reapplied around every 40 minutes.
5) Sunscreen doesn’t expire.
Even though many of us have been in the habit of using the same SPF in our beach-bags for years, that sunscreen really can expire! Over time, the active ingredients protecting your skin can break down, leaving you unprotected from harmful UV rays. Make sure to check your expiration dates! Some telltale signs of expired sunscreen are grittiness, little lumps or pebbles, change in color or scent, or a watery consistency.
If you’ve fallen victim to one or more of these myths, don’t worry – you’re not alone! Luckily, here at the MedSpa at Wake Plastic Surgery, we have several options to help treat sun damage and multiple medical-grade sunscreens for you to purchase. If you are interested in either, please give us a call or submit an inquiry here! One of our Patient Care Experts would be happy to answer any questions, or help you set up a comprehensive consultation with one of our Medical Aestheticians.
