Five Skin Care & Sun Exposure Myths Debunked

Learn How to Properly Protect Skin from Sun Damage

Nov 2, 2009

How can you protect your skin from early signs of aging? Ignoring these myths about the sun and skin care is a good place to start!

Protecting the skin from early signs of aging and protecting the skin from sun damage go hand in hand. A sunburn is just a nice way of saying “sun damage,” and although this is widely accepted, still some myths circulate that can mislead many men and women into unsafe practices (Derm Store). Avoiding premature aging and skin care begin with diligent protection from the sun.

Myth #1: Tanning Booths are Safe.

Tanning booths are always a bad idea, even those that claim to reduce or eliminate UVB rays. “Tanning is unhealthy and can lead to skin cancer and premature aging” (Robertson). In salons where UVB rays are filtered out, a client may not suffer the painful sunburn but will still absorb the damaging UVA rays.

UVA rays (think A for Aging) penetrate the skin deeper than UVB rays (think B for Burning) can, breaking down the skin’s elasticity and leading to premature wrinkles. These rays are the ones of highest concern and cannot be avoided in tanning salons. Spray tans and self-tanners are always preferable.

Myth #2: The Higher the SPF, the Better.

It's not the number that matters, it's the ingredients. A higher SPF really only increases the length of coverage by about 2-5%, so although stronger is better, an SPF 80 still requires periodic reapplication.

The SPF (or sun protection factor) should be at least 15, but the ingredients are the key. Broad spectrum sunscreens, which offer protection from UVA and UVB rays are the best. Look for one of the following ingredients to block UVA rays or both varieties (Robertson):

The FDA recently ruled that sunscreen cannot actually be waterproof, but rather "water-resistant." Some think this is one in the same. Instead, it means it will resist water for a time, but should be reapplied after swimming.

“Even on a cloudy day, UV radiation from the sun reaches the earth’s surface” (Robertson). To protect the skin, sunscreen should be worn at all times when outdoors and be reapplied every two hours and after swimming or sweating.

UVA rays, the most damaging variety, can also penetrate windows, so the skin-conscious should seek some protection no matter what the weather or where they are. According to dermatologists, this popular misconception is fairly common. But don’t be misled. To get the required amount of protection, a person would need “14 to 15 times the amount of makeup that a normal person would wear to reach the SPF on the label” (Robertson). This rule applies to powder, foundation, and liquid makeup across the board.

Additionally, some products that combine lotion or makeup with an SPF won’t provide even coverage. The SPF may sit on top of the product (good) or underneath it (bad). Inconsistent coverage and protection will lead to splotchy skin and uneven tan lines.

Maybe for a few days, from the surface, but a sunburn can actually make your pimples worse in the end. A pimple is a damaged pore that needs some help. Melanin collects in the pore when a pimple forms, the reason an acne sufferer might sometimes see a discoloration after a pimple heals. It takes time for the skin to break up the melanin and slough it off with dead skin cells.

Meanwhile, a sunburn is just a collection of melanin, pooled in the skin layers damaged by UVB rays. So sun burning a pimple is just a faster way to collect even more melanin in the pore. This is the best and fastest way to get a really long-lasting acne scar. Not to mention, all that extra sweating from the heat has to go somewhere, adding more oil to those pores and creating an even bigger breakout.

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