Weather Warm-Up: An SPF refresher course

With the start of March budding thoughts of spring and the tease of warmth in between crazy winter storms, many minds are drifting to afternoon picnics and sun hats replacing beanies. While the glow of sun-kissed skin may be en vogue, it’s critical to protect your skin from the trauma of UV rays so prevalent in our high desert state–even when the temperature has you bundling from head to toe. Because of our high altitude and sunshine, New Mexicans must be particularly knowledgeable and vigilant about sun protection.

What is SPF?

Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is a measure of how much solar energy is necessary to damage protected skin. The higher the SPF, the better protected your skin will be. SPF can be applied through products or by donning the right kind of clothes. For example, merino wool clothing has a UPF of 50. Ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) is similar to SPF, but is the rating system used for fabrics instead of products applied to the skin. Great for protecting your body, wearing clothes with UPF allows you to be exposed to the sun without worrying about reapplication. However, it’s not practical to keep your entire face concealed every time you go out, and summer weather brings summer styles, which often feature bared shoulders, backs, arms, and legs. Having a skin-applied product with SPF means you can safely enjoy the sun in a fashionable outfit!

Why is it important?

UV damage, like the damage you get every time you have even a mild sunburn, is a leading cause of skin cancer. Protecting your skin from the sun is an easy, inexpensive way to reduce your chance of getting skin cancer. With a little thought and the right products, keeping your skin protected doesn’t have to take a lot of time or interrupt your normal beauty and style routine.

In addition to causing skin cancer, the sun’s harsh UV rays cause premature aging to the skin–reducing elastin, increasing wrinkles, dark patches (sometimes called sunspots), and freckles.

Protect your skin. Preserve your youth.

The easiest way to protect the largest amount of skin at once is to wear protective clothing, especially when you’re planning to be outside during the most intense exposure times (typically 11 am to 2 pm) when the sun is highest and its rays are most intense. Wear long sleeves, pants, shoes that cover the tops of your feet, and a wide brimmed hat. There are lots of companies making UPF clothing in a wide range of styles specifically designed to be comfortable and lightweight.

If covering up is impractical or impossible, rely on high quality, broad spectrum sunscreen that protects your skin from UVA and UVB rays, with an SPF of at least 30, but ideally 50+. Finding sunscreen for the body can be relatively easy with tons of products to choose from at your favorite retailer. Various application methods make hard to reach places (like the center of your back), easy to reach!

But the face is different–more sensitive to products and requiring a higher degree of protection both for aesthetic (wrinkles!!!) and practical reasons (the skin on your face is thinner and more sensitive). It’s important to invest in quality products that will provide maximum protection without making you look shiny and ruining your make up application.

Dermalogica has a full line of SPF products for all skin types and concerns. From super sensitive to matte application, Leticia can help you find the best SPF for your face (and neck, chest, and shoulders)–saving you money in the long run by preserving your natural elastin, and making your treatments go farther by preventing unnecessary damage.

Don’t forget!

• Reapply every 2 hours while out. More often if it’s particularly hot (11 am to 2 pm), sweaty, or wet. Wear sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat to make your life easier all around.
• Stay on top of easy to miss areas: the ears, scalp (when hair is parted, skin is exposed right on top of your head!), back of the neck, tops of sandaled feet, and chest.
• Scars are particularly vulnerable to UV damage. If you want to minimize healing time and get the smoothest, most discreet healing possible, you should liberally and vigilantly apply sunscreen or keep it covered for the first year.
• Mineral suncreens are great for sensitive skin, but are often chalky or difficult to apply.
• Chemical sunscreens come in a variety of formulas but wear off more quickly than their mineral counterparts.
• If you already have sun damage, talk to Leticia about cosmetic treatments to erase damage and turn back the clock on sun exposure.