VOL. 5, MAR 2001 : Sun Protection Prevents Hyperpigmentation

Sun Protection to Reduce Hyperpigmentation

Picnicking, camping, sunbathing at the beach….when you enjoy the outdoors this season, use sun protection and wear protective clothing. Sun damage is a primary cause of hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, spots and blemishes.

Use Sun Protection frequently

When you plan to be outdoors for a long time, it’s not enough to put sun protection on your skin just once in the morning. You should apply it at least every 2 hours. According to a recent study, it’s more effective to applying SPF15 sunscreen every 2 hours than applying SPF30 sunscreen every 4 to 5 hours.

Don’t expose babies less than 6 months old to direct sunlight.

Babies have very sensitive skin. When outdoors, put a cap on the baby and cover his or her skin with clothes. After 6 months, you can put sunscreen on the baby’s skin, but choose a gentle product.

Sunscreen is important for children.

Sun damage to children’s skin can affect them over the long-term. In fact, research has shown that 80% of all sun damage occurs by the age of 18.  Even when they are young, children should take care of their skin by getting into the habit of using sunscreen.

Wear sunglasses that have UV protection.

UV damages both your eyes and your skin.  When you go outdoors, wear sunglasses that have UV protection.

UVA penetrates through window glass.

Glass will protect you from UVB but not UVA.  When you are indoors and are near a window or in a sunroom, use sunscreen to protect your skin. When you are driving, you should also protect your hands and arms. When not wearing long-sleeved shirts or gloves, use sunscreen.

 

Ultra Violet Primer

UV is classified into 3 types: UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C on the basis of its wavelength. UV-C is most damaging to the skin, followed by UV-B and then UV-A.

UV-A: It has the longest wavelength. UV-A reaches deeper into the skin and causes wrinkles, spots and blemishes. It can also cause skin cancer. Sun tan salons use UV-A because it stimulates the pigment cells to disperse pre-made melanin.  This darkens your skin quickly.

UV-B: It is the major cause of sunburn. There is 10x as much UV-A in sunlight as UV-B, but the risk of damage by exposure to UV-B is very high, since UV -B is 100x more damaging.  Both UVA and UVB cause skin cancer.

UV-C: This is the most dangerous type of UV. Normally, the ozone layer prevents it from reaching the earth’s surface.

About Sun Protection Products

Sun Protection products are classified into two categories. The first category is called “sun block”. These products don’t penetrate into the skin; they just stay on the surface and protect it from UV light, mainly by reflecting the harmful rays away from the body.  The products contain Titanium Dioxide, or Zinc Oxide, and are visible on the skin surface when applied.  Fortunately they now come in a variety of colors. Dermatologists often recommend this category of products.

Sun blocks are recommended for sensitive skin and for baby’s skin. It is also recommended for skin that is damaged from a chemical peel or laser treatment.

Recently, a new type of sun block cream has been developed, which has a natural tint color and is convenient to use. When you apply it on your face, it may appear too shiny because of its glossy surface. If this happens, you should also apply powder on your skin. A sun block is convenient because you can apply it without using a foundation.

The second category of sun protection products is “sunscreens”. Sunscreens penetrate into the skin and protect it from UV rays by absorbing (rather than reflecting) the light. These products often have a high SPF-level. An advantage of sunscreens over sunblocks is that they are invisible on the skin surface.  We recommend using a sunscreen under cosmetics in every season.

Some new sun protection products have also been developed which protect your skin from infrared ray, as well as against UV-A and UV-B.

Our Sun Protection Products

SHIZUKA new york recommends a variety of sunscreen products. In this issue we introduce a number of useful and unique products

Waterproof Solar Spray SPF25 (no longer available)

A must-have for all athletic or beach-going clients, this easy-to-apply body mist provides waterproof, high SPF protection for hours without harsh, drying alcohol.

Sun Swipes SPF15  (no longer available)

Just pop a couple in your beach or gym bag for take-anywhere protection that lasts. Perfect for parents – teach your children how to apply sunscreen the easy way!

Protective Self Tan SPF15  (no longer available)

Get that summer-like, golden glow without damaging the skin from sun exposure with its fast-acting, long-lasting, natural-looking formula.