Neutrogena^®

Sun damage (also known as photo damage) of the skin can either be acute like sunburn, or chronic like the gradual changes of the skin caused by an accumulation of sun exposure throughout your life. Chronic photo damage results in either a cosmetic change in the skin's appearance, such as fine and coarse wrinkles, or changes that are of medical and health concerns, such as pre-cancerous lesions. The sun can also change skin through freckles, discoloured areas of the skin, sallowness, which is a yellow discolouration of the skin, and more. There's very strong evidence that ultraviolet light is the cause of most of the changes associated with aging skin.  

Hyperpigmentation is caused by an increase in melanin, the substance in the body that is responsible for colour (pigment). Exposure to sunlight is a major cause of hyperpigmentation, and will darken already hyperpigmented areas.

EXPERT ARTICLE
What's the Difference Between UVA & UVB Rays?

There are two types of UV rays-UVA and UVB-both of which can harm your skin. UVA rays penetrate deep into the layers of the skin and can lead to premature signs of aging, which include fine lines and wrinkles. UVB rays are the primary cause of sunburn, because they penetrate into the outer layer of skin and cause damage to skin cells.

Too much exposure to either UVA or UVB rays can play a part in causing skin cancer. It's important to use sunscreen protection year-round, because the amount of UVA stays fairly constant throughout the year, and also exceeds the amount of UVB rays in both summer and winter. Even on a cloudy day, 80% of the sun's UVA rays pass through clouds. What's more, when it comes to tanning beds, it's important to know that tanning beds work by emitting UVA rays, which penetrate deep into the skin.

What can you do to protect against UVA and UVB rays? Wear sunscreen every day to protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun. Apply generous amounts of sunscreen, especially when you are active outdoors. Reapply often after swimming, perspiring, or using a towel and always choose a sunscreen that offers an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or higher.

SPF is an approximate measurement of how long you can stay in the sun with sunscreen before getting burned. If you apply a sunscreen with an SPF of 15, for example, that means it will take about 15 times longer for your skin to begin to burn than if you did not wear any sunscreen protection at all. With this in mind, sunscreens should not be used to increase the time you spend in intense sunlight.

Because SPF mainly measures protection against UVB rays, be sure your sunscreen protects against UVA rays as well by choosing products with ingredients that provide both UVA and UVB protection. These are usually labeled "broad spectrum," and are available as body and face sunscreens as well as daily moisturisers.

If you plan to be in the sun for an extended amount of time, look for sunscreens that offer long lasting, broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection.

Apply sunscreen liberally to all exposed areas 15-20 minutes before sun exposure, and again after swimming, excessive perspiration, toweling or prolonged sun exposure.