Your mother, your doctor, and your favorite beauty magazine all tell you the same thing: you must wear sunscreen. But do you know why it matters so much? For one, melanoma causes more deaths than any other type of skin cancer. In 2019, an estimated 192,310 people will be diagnosed with melanoma in the United States, and an estimated 7,230 of them will die from it. 

While that should be enough to have all of us slathering on the SPF 50 every day, there are a number of other key reasons why sunscreen is important in skin care. 

To put it simply, the benefits of sunscreen far outweigh whatever reasons you have to not use sunscreen daily. Here are five: 

1. Sunscreen decreases the risk of developing skin cancer

Yes, we did just say this, but it bears repeating.  The best sunscreen to protect your skin from damaging UV rays will be broad-spectrum with an SPF of 30 or higher. It’s also important to apply it generously and reapply throughout the day. To further decrease your risk of developing skin cancer, try to avoid sun exposure during the peak hours between 10:00am and 3:00pm. Protective clothing including wide-brim hats and sunglasses also help. 

2. Sunscreen helps prevent sunburn

If you’ve ever had a sunburn, you know how painful they can be. They’re pretty unattractive, and they can sneak up on you out of nowhere. Sunburns don’t just happen when you fall asleep on the beach. They can happen when you’re driving and the sun is beaming down on your arm. They can happen at a baseball game or a backyard barbecue. Consistent use of sunscreen can make all the difference. Some active ingredients in sunscreen form a barrier that reflects or scatters UV waves, while others absorb the rays so our skin doesn’t. By working in these ways, sunscreen protects your skin from sunburn. 

3. Sunscreen reduces skin aging

Depending on whom you ask, sun damage is responsible for anywhere from 80% to 90% of the visible signs of aging, including premature wrinkling and sagging skin. Regardless of the exact number, if given the choice, most of us would be thrilled to slow our skin aging by even half that amount.  One Australian study proved that sunscreen actually does reduce our skin aging—significantly. But only when used consistently. 

4. Sunscreen minimizes discoloration

Prolonged exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays causes damage to pigment-producing cells and results in excess pigmentation—otherwise known as sunspots, age spots, or liver spots. They can develop anywhere, but are most often found on the face, arms, and hands. Sunscreen protects our skin from the sun damage that causes hyperpigmentation and other discoloration issues. 

5. Sunscreen is easy to find and easy to use

Although there are cosmetic procedures available to help repair skin damaged from sun exposure, using sunscreen to protect your skin in the first place is a more convenient and affordable option. Even if you forget to pack your sunscreen when you head out to the beach or a ball game, you can find a range of sunscreen options in any drug store, most grocery stores, and even some gas stations.  You may not find your favorite brand everywhere, but as long as you choose a broad-spectrum formula with an SPF of 30 or more, and use enough to cover your exposed skin, you’ll be protected. 

Repair & protect your skin with SkinMedica Sunscreen

At Siti Med Spa, we understand that most people cannot claim perfect adherence to recommendations regarding sunscreen use. Many of our patients come to us for the first time seeking to repair damage sustained from sun exposure. That’s why we carry SkinMedica Total Defense + Repair Sunscreen. It’s the best sunscreen we’ve come across, and our patients love it. Not only does it protect your skin from sun damage, but it also actively repairs past damage and minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. We carry three different formulas, including SPF 34, SPF 34 tinted, and SPF 50+.

Want more options for reversing sun damage?

If you have deep wrinkles, dark spots, or blotchy skin, you may benefit from laser skin resurfacing, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, or other treatments and cosmetic services designed to restore the beauty of your skin. Don’t worry if you’re not sure exactly what you need. We can help.

Give us a call at (619) 717-8484 to schedule a consultation today.