Despite a rain filled Spring, we have nearly made it to Summer and the Sun is out. Sure the Sun feels great beating down on us and many love the tanned look, but the results of Sun damage are no longer a secret. Minimize your risk of skin cancer (including potentially deadly melanoma) and maximize your chances of youthful skin later in life by applying Sun Screen before you go outside. Ask our staff about PCA products, or use your favorite brand. The following is a primer by PCA on sunscreens
Two types of Sun Protection:
There are two types of sun protection available: chemical and physical sunscreens. A chemical sunscreen works by absorbing, reflecting or scattering the sun’s rays (UV radiation) before they affect the skin. A physical sunscreen sits on the skin’s surface and reflects or scatters UV radiation before it is able to damage the skin, buy does not have the capacity to absorb. These two forms of protection have different methods of achieving a similar goal.
The FDA requires that all sun protection products display a Sun Protection Factor or SPF label, although many consumers are unaware of the fact that this label only indicates the relative amount of protection from UVB rays a product can provide when used correctly. Certain ingredients must be included in a product to receive adequate UVA protection. In order for a sun protection product to provide broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, avobenzone or ecampsule (MexorylTM) must be included. Sunscreens with an SPF of at least 30 are recommended. High SPF numbers can be misleading, as an SPF of 30 is not twice as protective as an SPF of 15. When used properly, an SPF of 15 protects the skin from 93% of UVB radiation, an SPF 30 97% and an SPF 65 98% protection.
Two types of UV Radiation:
The two types of UV radiation that can affect the skin, UVA and UVB, have both been linked to skin cancer and a weakening of the immune system. They also both cause skin color changes and contribute to premature aging. UVA rays are not absorbed by the ozone layer and penetrate deep into the skin. UVB rays mostly impact the surface of the skin and are the primary cause of sunburn. Up to 90% of the visible skin changes commonly attributed to aging are caused by sun exposure.
About PCA SKIN Sun Protection Products:
SPF products from PCA SKIN are formulated with a sophisticated blend of zinc oxide and several proven chemical sunscreen ingredients that protect the skin from UVA and UVB rays. The suite of highly effective and cosmetically elegant sun protection products from PCA SKIN provide:
- Protection for every skin type, condition and tone. This ensures that most people can wear our products comfortably on a daily basis. Daily broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection is important for everyone of every color.
- PCA SKIN sun protection products also provide important antioxidant protection with silybin (milk thistle) and caffeine to prevent and correct free radical damage. Topically applied caffeine has also been shown to cause damaged skin cells into apoptosis (cell death) minimizing the chances of skin cancer.
