Two serious reasons to use sunscreen
Of course the most important reason to protect your skin from the sun is to help avoid skin cancer. Reason number two: the sun causes the majority of wrinkles and skin damage we experience in our lifetimes. Those two facts alone should turn anyone into a sunscreen devotee, but here is some new information that could become reason number three.
Sunscreen can improve the quality of your skin
A new study recently published in the journal Dermatologic Surgery shows that sunscreen not only protects our skin from damage, but might also reverse common sun-induced signs of aging, such as wrinkles and brown spots. In fact, the study showed improvements in many other signs of skin aging caused by the sun, including:
- Texture
- Tone
- Fine lines
The study used chemical sunscreen ingredients (avobenzone, oxtinoxate), but researchers believe that physical blockers, (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) should also do the job.
A daily application of moisturizer with SPF 30 could produce visible improvement
Study participants saw nearly a 50% improvement in the appearance of dark spots, skin texture and skin clarity after a year. And the moisturizer used in the study contained no anti-aging ingredients.
What’s the explanation?
It likely has something to do with our skin’s built-in regenerative properties — it turns over every 28 days. So by preventing more sun damage, our skin is basically able to “heal” on its own. It’s as if the sunscreen is giving the skin a break from constantly defending itself against UV exposure and can concentrate on repairing damage instead.
The key to results?
Simply consider sunscreen part of your daily skin-care routine. And don’t forget to see your dermatologist for any skin irregularities that cause you concern.
Call for an appointment today: (210) 692-3000 or (210) 370-9995.
