Great Skin is Made in the Shade!

Summer is finally here, and most of us can’t wait to get out on a boat or float in the pool. Some even kept their tan year-round, thanks to tanning beds. A sun-kissed glow is always a confidence boost, but protecting your skin from UV rays is your greatest anti-aging trick. Great skin is made in the shade!

There are over 5 million skin cancer diagnoses in the United States each year, making skin cancer the most common cancer! We all know we should be wearing sunscreen to help protect ourselves, but with so many choices on the market, how do you pick the one that is right for you? Let’s break down the sunscreen facts.

There are two types of active ingredients in sunscreen that help prevent the sun’s UV radiation from reaching your skin: physical or chemical ingredients. Physical sunscreen ingredients include the minerals titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which block and scatter the rays before they penetrate your skin. Chemical sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone and actisalate absorb the UV rays before they can damage the skin.

Many sunscreens contain both active ingredients, but chemical sunscreens can be irritating to some skin. If you find sunscreen makes your skin feel sensitive, look for a sunscreen without titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.

What does SPF mean? This stands for Sun Protection Factor, and tells you how long the sun’s rays would take to redden your skin. If you have an SPF30, it will take you 30 times longer to burn than if you used no sunscreen. So, if you plan to be at the pool all day, opt for a high SPF and always remember to reapply every two hours. In the winter months when we don’t spend as much time in the sun, SPF15 would suffice.

When summer is over, we recommend letting your tan fade and leaning into skin-loving rejuvenation treatments. Chemical peels, laser treatments, exfoliating and hydrating facials are just what the skin needs after all the sun exposure during the summer. It is also the perfect time to schedule your annual skin cancer screening with your dermatologist. Avoid tanning beds as much as possible as it does increase the risk of developing melanoma by 75 percent.

By: Dr. Levi Young

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Levi Young and his team of nurse injectors and aestheticians, combine specialized knowledge in surgical and non-surgical procedures with their passion for natural results to help patient achieve a refreshed appearance.  

4749 W 134th St.
Leawood, KS
913-586-2530
advancedcosmeticsurgerykc.com