Key Takeaways
- The sun's UV rays can cause sunburns, premature aging, age spots, and skin cancer, making daily sunscreen use one of the most important skin care habits.
- The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, applied 15 minutes before sun exposure.
- Adults should use approximately one ounce of sunscreen to cover the full body and about half a teaspoon on the face for adequate protection.
- Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, and also after swimming or sweating, to maintain its protective effectiveness throughout the day.
- NOVA offers treatments including HydraFacial, BBL, MOXI, NanoLaserPeel, and laser resurfacing to address sun damage that has already developed.
Many people neglect sunscreen as a part of their daily skin care routines. The sun’s UV rays are incredibly powerful and can seriously damage the skin if left unprotected. This blog discusses the importance of proper sunscreen application and treatment options for sun-damaged skin.
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Protecting Your Skin
Your skin does so much for you on a daily basis, which can sometimes make it easy to forget how important it really is. The skin is the body’s largest organ, and it protects the body from germs, regulates temperature, and receives sensory information, among other things. With all that your skin does for you, what are you doing to ensure you protect your skin?
Skin cancer is one of the most common kinds of cancers, with melanoma in particular on a steady rise. The National Cancer Institute has estimated a total of 100,640 new melanoma cases in 2024. One of the best ways to protect yourself from developing skin cancer is to avoid unnecessary sun exposure and to always wear sunscreen whenever you’re in the sun.
How Much Sunscreen Should You Use?
While many are aware that they should apply sunscreen before spending time in the sun, not as many people know what proper sunscreen application looks like. The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends using sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 or higher. Sunscreen should be applied about 15 minutes before sun exposure and on all skin not covered by clothing. This will give your skin enough time to absorb the sunscreen before it is exposed to the sun.
Additionally, it is important to make sure you are applying enough sunscreen to protect your skin properly. It’s generally recommended for adults to use one ounce of sunscreen to cover their entire body and about a half teaspoon of sunscreen on the face. Keep in mind that sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours after exposure to the sun or after swimming or sweating.
Do We Really Need Sunscreen?
Sunscreen is a powerful yet seriously neglected step in many people’s skin care routines. Most people are regularly exposed to the sun every day — even if you stay indoors all day, you’re likely to be exposed to some degree of sunlight coming from the windows. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage the skin, causing sunburns, premature aging, and skin cancer.
At best, sun damage may be a sunburn that heals eventually, but at worst, it could be a deadly form of skin cancer. Sun damage can also look like brown spots, sometimes called age spots, which many people dislike the appearance of. Once those age spots pop up on your skin, they can only be removed by a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon.
Proper sunscreen application should be performed daily to prevent all forms of sun damage and keep your skin looking its very best.
What Is the Best Treatment for Age Spots?
While skin pigmentation and age spots are a form of sun damage, they don’t cause any harm to your health. However, many people who develop these sun spots seek treatment for removing them for aesthetic reasons.
NOVA Plastic Surgery and Dermatology offers the following skin treatments to reduce the appearance of sun spots:
Want to Know More About Skin Treatments in Northern VA?
To learn more about taking care of your skin and what skin treatment options you have in Northern Virginia, call our office at (703) 215-9152 or fill out our online contact form today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is wearing sunscreen every day so important for skin health?
Daily sunscreen use protects the skin from UV rays that cause sunburns, premature aging, brown age spots, and skin cancer. Even on cloudy days or when spending time indoors, UV rays can penetrate windows and contribute to cumulative skin damage over time.
What SPF level sunscreen should I use and how much should I apply?
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Adults should apply about one ounce to cover the entire body and approximately half a teaspoon on the face alone to ensure adequate protection during sun exposure.
How often should sunscreen be reapplied during the day?
Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours when you are outdoors, and also immediately after swimming or sweating, since water and perspiration reduce the effectiveness of sun protection.
Can sun damage like age spots be treated after they appear?
Yes. NOVA Plastic Surgery and Dermatology offers several treatments for existing sun damage, including HydraFacial, BBL broadband light therapy, MOXI laser, NanoLaserPeel, and laser resurfacing. A consultation can help determine which treatment is best suited to your specific skin concerns.
What makes a medical-grade sunscreen different from drugstore options?
Medical-grade sunscreens, such as those from SkinCeuticals, offer a wide range of formulations including mineral, tinted, and sheer options. They are designed to disappear into the skin without feeling greasy and provide broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection appropriate for all skin types.