Does Wearing Makeup Make Acne Worse?
There are plenty of misconceptions and myths about acne, particularly when it comes to cosmetics and makeup. You can use makeup when you have acne if you follow a few basics about using these products.
Do You Need to Wear Sunscreen in the Winter?
Most people know it’s important to slather up with sunscreen before spending a day at the beach in the middle of summer, but what about cloudy days? Are you safe when you can’t see or feel the sun?
Dermatologist Dr. Clement Banda of MD Vein & Skin Specialists encourages all Marylanders to wear sunscreen year-round. Even though you can’t see or feel them, UV rays don’t take time off, so they can cause damage even when you don’t expect it. Here’s why.
The components of sunlight
Sunlight has both visible and invisible components. What you feel as warmth is infrared radiation, short wavelength energy below the visible light spectrum.
UV light extends beyond the visible spectrum with longer wavelengths of active radiation consisting of three bands:
- UVA, which passes easily through the atmosphere
- UVB, which is about 85% blocked by the atmosphere
- UVC, which is completely blocked by the ozone layer
UVA and UVB rays are the primary cause of nearly all types of skin cancer, causing mutations in skin cells that lead to skin cancer tumors. Though it may seem that the sun is less active in the winter, UVA and UVB light are still present, even on cloudy days and even inside.
The role of sunscreen
Your UV exposure has no relationship to how bright the sun is or how warm a day becomes. That’s why a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or greater is important year-round.
It is also important to follow instructions for reapplication, typically every two hours or after swimming or bathing. One sunscreen application doesn’t cover you for an entire day, no matter the time of year.
Sunscreen also has active ingredients that lose potency over time or with poor storage conditions. Follow the best-before dates on your sunscreen and store it at room temperature. Extreme hot or cold temperatures will deactivate its effects, so storing a tube in your car's glove box isn’t a good idea.
Winter challenges
Though you can’t see UV light, it behaves like visible light. It reflects off light surfaces and bounces around. For instance, UV energy bounces off snow banks, so your hat may not protect your face as much as you expect when skiing.
This same bouncing property means that UV energy gets into your car and home through windows that aren’t treated to block UV light. Yes, sunscreen helps to protect you when you’re inside, too. All the rules for reapplication and storage apply there too.
The best way to protect yourself from skin cancer is to make an effective sunscreen regimen part of your day, 365 days a year.
Call MD Vein & Skin Specialists in Columbia, Maryland, or book online for skin cancer screening or treatment.
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