Sunscreen Update
What’s new in sunscreen lately? Let’s start by saying: you should PUT IT ON! Convincing someone to put sunscreen on is half the battle. Many people dislike bothering with it at all. I hear all kinds of complaints; too sticky, too pasty, burns my eyes, wears off too easily in the water. Men and kids are the worst! When Mom’s a dermatologist, it looks pretty bad to have sunburned kids and a bronzed husband, so I am forever trying to overcome barriers to sunscreen use. These are the tips that have helped a lot for swaying my family in the direction of sun protection. If you are a woman reading this, please considering forwarding it to the man in your life…husband, son, father, brother, friend.
The biggest thing in sunscreen this year are questions about safety both for humans and the environment. I wrote a recent blog post about sunscreen safety, but suffice to say that the best choice for safety remains ZINC OXIDE. Now, I know what you’re thinking… That pasty white stuff that gave the big white lifeguard nose? Yes, but it is much more cosmetically elegant now. In fact, I wear a zinc oxide sunscreen every day of my life for the past ten years or more. They can look great now. For women (and more open-minded men) there are tinted zinc oxide sunscreens that blend just like a makeup base with a barely there look. To learn more about what I call “sunscreen disguised as makeup,” check out our Colorescience line, available in the Spring Boutique.
Another consideration is vitamin supplements that function as sun protection. I have mentioned these in the past, and the most tried and true, commercially available formulation is Heliocare which is a capsule, but we are fans of UVO drink packets as well. Heliocare and UVO both employ a fern extract, Polypodium leucotomos extract (PLE). This natural extract is packed with antioxidant properties that help maintain your skin’s ability to protect itself against the aging effects of free radicals. Many patients who have a history of sun sensitivity find this supplement a lifesaver, reducing severe reactions to the sun. While it does not entirely substitute for sunscreen, it is a great alternative for those stubborn family members who refuse to use sunscreen.
STILL EXCITED ABOUT THESE OPTIONS FROM LAST YEAR…
Wash on sunscreen! My husband actually doesn’t mind this one. Amazing! Men, you can wash with this before going out to work in the yard, run, or a round of golf. It can be used as a shampoo as well, giving great coverage for ears, scalps that are a little thin on top and hairy arms and trunk. There is only one of these I know of… Klenskin. The interesting thing about this sunscreen is that it clings ionically to the skin and the sunscreen is actually held within the ionic bead, making it a safer alternative because it does not actually interact with the skin. It’s amazing science at work! All available at Amazon.
Photolyases! Even more amazing science! Photolyases work to correct DNA damage caused by sun exposure. Photolyases, DNA repair enzymes, occur naturally in the skin but are now available to apply topically. Products containing photolyases not only protect but ACTIVELY REPAIR the skin as well. Antiaging products containing DNA repair enzymes have been available commercially for a few years in products such as ZO Daily Power Defense (plankton derived photolyases), but combining them with sunscreen at an affordable price point is new and exciting. There is only one available that I know of, ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica. Available online and at the Spring Boutique. Although expensive, this is my personal pick for a body lotion. One study showed that in addition to protecting the skin, using a topical sunscreen containing photolyase could also decrease the number of active actinic keratoses.
One final thing that my patients have grown to look for and love are my annual sunscreen picks. So, after a recent trip to Walmart, I am ready to go. Have trouble deciding which one to pick. Check our upcoming blog post, where I will simplify things A LOT!
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