The main ingredients in mineral sunscreens are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which are gentler on pores and overall better for sensitive skin. Physical, or mineral, sunscreens, meanwhile, function by physically blocking rays from penetrating skin in the first place. The active ingredients in chemical formulas are “all those ones you can’t pronounce,” Shen says, such as avobenzone, oxybenzone, and octinoxate. Chemical sunscreens, which are usually more water- and sweat-resistant, work by absorbing UVA and UVB rays into the skin and releasing them back into the atmosphere. There are two different types of sunscreens: chemical sunscreens and physical sunscreens. Know your sunscreen and find one that works for you Below, Shen offers tips and tricks for protecting Black and brown skin tones from the harmful effects of the sun. However, sun protection comes down to more than just wearing sunscreen. “It’s never too early or too late to start wearing sunscreen.” It’s also important to wear it year-round, and not just seasonally, she adds: “I like to joke that it’s called sunscreen, not summer-screen!”Īnd don’t just count on the same bottle you’ve been using for years now-sunscreen stops being effective after its expiration date. “You can’t undo your past, but you can certainly try to protect yourself moving forward,” Shen says. The bottom line: sun (and light) damage is cumulative. Sunscreens formulated with titanium dioxide help protect against visible light, Shen says. Um, visible light? Turns out, it’s not just the sun that can damage your skin-even the light emitted by computers, smartphones, and light bulbs can contribute to hyperpigmentation and aging. The best way to prevent that from happening is by protecting the skin from visible light and UV radiation.” “Patients with darker skin are more likely to experience melasma and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation-those dark marks left behind by acne-and exposure to UV rays can actually make them worse. “Sun exposure can contribute to pigmentation issues,” Shen says. Plus, people with darker skin are at a higher risk for being diagnosed with later-stage melanoma, which can be fatal when left untreated. Darker skin tones can still suffer from sun damage, causing hyperpigmentation, age spots, and wrinkles, in addition to sunburns. But you should still be applying broad-spectrum sunscreen-ideally one with an SPF of 30 or higher-to your face and body every two hours, says Lisa Shen, Boston Medical Center associate director of pediatric dermatology and Boston University School of Medicine assistant professor of dermatology. Sure, if you’re a person of color, a week of 90-plus degree days might not have you reaching for the SPF 80 like your life depends on it. If there’s anything you should be thinking about during the heat wave that’s been rocking the northern hemisphere-besides staying thoroughly hydrated, of course-it’s sun protection.Īnd that goes for all skin tones.
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