Let’s Talk About SPF

Of course it’s important to get out in the sun once in a while to get your vitamin D, but as summer comes along and sun exposure becomes an everyday thing, it’s important to know how sunscreen can protect you!

I Don’t Need It: Even if you have darker skin and tan more than you burn, it’s still important to apply sunscreen. The permanent damage to your skin is still happening, even if you can’t necessarily see it. Even when it is cloudy outside you can still burn, so it is important to apply sunscreen every time you are outside for an extended amount of time.

SPF Makeup: Although SPF in your makeup is better than nothing; it certainly isn’t enough. Most makeup only has an SPF of 15 or less, and to fully protect your face from the sun an SPF of at least 30 is needed. Try putting on a facial moisturizer with SPF in it before applying your SPF makeup for more protection.

Sunscreen is Sunscreen: Not true. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests using an SPF of 30 or higher that provides a broad spectrum of coverage from UVA and UVB light. Different sunscreens also use different ingredients to block the sun such as, zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Dermatologists suggest using newer sunscreens with Helioplex and Merolyx because they are more stable in protecting the skin from the sun.

Just A Little Bit: Even if you do apply sunscreen once for the day, it’s still not enough. When applying sunscreen it’s important to reapply every two to four hours because sunscreen does go away with time, especially if you go in the water.

Throw Out the Old: Sunscreens DO expire. So before you apply from the same bottle you used last year, check out the date and if it is expired buy new bottles for the upcoming year. Also, if you are applying sunscreen as often as you should, there shouldn’t be any left over from the year before!

Beware: Certain products may leave your skin more susceptible to burning, such as, prescription drugs, herbal remedies (St. John’s Wort), skin care products that exfoliate, perfumes, and even contact with lime peels can result in bad burns.

The Solution: Apply the right SPF to your skin as often as you can to prevent yourself from the damaging effects of the sun, and of course, avoid artificial tanning salons that use dangerous UV lights. At Blush, we use organic, sunless tanning to give our clients a beautiful glow, and as the summer approaches, more people have come to us for just that. Just because it’s the summer, doesn’t mean you have to lie outside everyday to get your tan and risk your health. At Blush we can guarantee a flawless color without the dangers of natural sun or UV rays, and by pairing our techniques with smart SPF use, you can feel healthy and beautiful all at once.