When we talk about skincare routines, cleanser, toner, and moisturiser are our staples. But let’s not forget the importance of sunscreen! Wearing sunscreen is a form of protection for your skin’s appearance and health, and no matter your skin tone and colour, it’s essential for every type of skin.
1. Types of sun damages
Sunscreen protects our skin against harmful UV rays that can cause skin cancer, sunburn and premature ageing. By premature ageing, we don’t just mean wrinkles and sagging skin, but also pigmentation, roughness and discolouration. Skin discolouration is commonly known as sun spots or liver spots and appears tan to brown in colour. A lack of sunscreen also damages surface blood vessels, rendering them more fragile and easily bruised.
Sun damage is irreversible and prevention is better than cure. So apply sunscreen generously and regularly. Even when working from home, UV rays pierce through the clouds and can reach you through the windows. They’re always present. Even if sun damage isn’t immediately apparent, it would likely appear years on.
2. Choosing the right sunscreen
When choosing sunscreen, keep a lookout for an SPF of at least 30 to protect against UVA and UVB. UVA rays prematurely age the skin through collagen breakdown while UVB rays burn skin. If you spend plenty of time outdoors, SPF 60 might better suit you. If you’re wondering what the “+” signs on the sunscreen labels are, they’re an indicator of the product’s protection level. So “+++” offers the best protection against premature ageing and skin cancer!
3. How to apply?
It takes about 15 to 20 minutes for sunscreen to take effect. Dry your skin before application and drop dollops the size of 50 cent coins on your face and neck. Makeup — even those with an SPF label on them, is not enough to take care of your skin. Let’s face it, you’ll never apply as much foundation from head to toe as you would sunscreen.
4. Make this a habit
As we make a new habit out of this, it might take a while for applying sunscreen every day to become second nature. Start by keeping a bottle of sunscreen stored with your skincare stash. That will remind you to add on the layer after moisturising in the morning. Try to reapply sunscreen every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating, towelling off or spending long hours under the direct sun. For times when you’re out and about, tuck a bottle inside your bag for easy reapplication.
10am to 4pm is when the sun rays are the most intense. Besides slathering on the sunscreen, practice the shadow rule: if your shadow is shorter than you, the sun rays are at their strongest and you should find shade!
Japan IPL Express
IPL treatment may be versatile and safe for many instances, but if you’re taking medications that make you sensitive to sunlight or are sunburned, it’s best to err on the side of caution and pause IPL treatment for about 60 days. We wouldn’t want you to experience side effects such as hyperpigmentation and mild burns, even though they might occur to varying degrees.
