The sun is the major culprit of 80% of your wrinkles and spots on your face. It is also one of the main causes of skin cancer but then one has to go outdoors as work and life requires it. How often have you put on sunscreen wondering if your skin is really protected or not and is there anything else you can do? Well, it so happens that dermatologists, the people who advice you on your skin problems also venture out into the sun without fear as they have their own ways and means of total protection developed to save their own skin.
According to a poll conducted among 23 Dermatologists, here’s how dermatologists protect their skin from the sun.
Yes!! This is the best reminder to put on your sunscreen every morning before going outdoors. Science, in fact, justified the habit proving that use of sunscreen was increased by 20% among those who kept it along with their toothpaste.
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According to dermatologists, most people underapply sunscreen but clinical studies test SPF based on an unusually thick application of sunscreen on skin. A thin layer of sunscreen can wear off in two hours. This also means that the SPF is reduced by 50%. AN SPF of 110 is ideal for outdoors.
According to a poll, most derms favored a sunscreen with minimum SPF 30 on regular days but also mentioned that the SPF corresponds to a percent blockage of sun rays. This means while in cities such as Los Angeles using an SPF of 30 which blocks 97% or 110 SPF which blocks 100% isn’t much of a difference but in a city like Florida where the sunrays are more direct, you need a sunscreen more than SPF 30 to prevent the risk of conditions like skin cancer.
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Because dermatologists spend each day examining thousands of people, they know exactly which spots are prone to skin eruptions, wrinkles and risks of skin cancer. The common areas of course are the tops and behind ears, back of knees, hands and tops of the feet but three major areas which people forget are the sides of the neck, between toes and the hairline. The chin protects the center of the neck but not the sides. Sunscreen should be applied around the entire neck.
Ideally you should start a facial sunscreen from the periphery and increase the cream once you reach the nose. Some derms use a dust powder of SPF 50 to avoid getting cream on hair.
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Dermatologists apply sunscreen in layers to ensure no spot is missed and of course without clothes on. This will avoid burns on the edges of bathing suits or clothes which is often the case with people. Derms insist that only when you see your body glistening with sunscreen then you know you are fully protected.
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Coffee!!! Yes, coffee is the first thing most derms drink in the morning and perhaps one of the coolest way how dermatologists protect their skin from the sun. Studies (http://europepmc.org/articles/pmc4600068) proved that coffee consumption prevented UV radiation-induced carcinogenesis and inhibited the growth of malignant melanoma cells.
Antioxidants protect the skin against free radicals that can slip through your sunscreen SPF and that risk can be as high as 45% as shown by one study. Studies also show that ferulic acid combined with vitamin C and E increases the power of a sunscreen’s SPF by eight. There are several new brands of sunscreen that come with antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the body from UV damage from the inside. Antioxidants are best acquired from diets such as an antioxidant-rich Mediterranean diet which is also effective in preventing breast cancer as you can read in this article. Extensive Study Finds the Mediterranean Diet Can Reduce The Risk Of Breast Cancer By 40%
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Dermatologists wear lip gloss after dark because anything shiny acts like a magnifier and increases the penetration of sunlight. Since we constantly lick our lips, SPF based lip balms should be constantly reapplied while outdoors.
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UV exposure from car windows can damage your skin. Studies have shown that side windows allow 25% more UVA rays associated with skin cancer and skin aging more than even windshields. Windshields are built in such a way to block 95% of UVA. However, most car windows will also block out UVB rays also associated with skin cancer and sunburn.
Dermatologists advise on increasing UVA protection by adding UVA protection films to car windows but one should check with laws of the particular state that differ in respect of tinted windows. Always keep a powder sunscreen in your glove compartment to spray on your hands which is always on the driving wheel and prone to sunburn and age spots. Since you know how dermatologists protect their skin from the sun perhaps you could try it too.
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