Skin conditions - Sun Damage

Why Use A Sunscreen?

Basking in the warm glow of the sun can make us feel good, and in the short term, makes us look good. But the cumulative effects of sun exposure put us at higher risk of cellular damage, early wrinkling, age spots, actinic keratoses, and skin cancer - including melanoma, the most serious type.

So why use a sunscreen?

  • Prevents a sun burn.
  • Prevents photo damaged skin (brown spots, wrinkles, leather like texture).
  • Prevents Actinic Keratosis and Perhaps Squamous Cell Cancers.
  • Prevents irregularities (increased redness from broken capillaries, bumps, roughness).


Without regular use of sunscreen the skin can develop many different problems. Sun damage or photo damage produces both skin cancers as well as photo-aging. Photo-aging shows itself on the skin as wrinkling, scaling, dryness, and dark pigmentation. Being aware of the damage that is caused by the sun is half the battle. In addition, sun avoidance and regular sunscreen are encouraged in the prevention of skin cancer.

  • What are UVA rays? They are sun rays that penetrate deep into the skin causing photo aging and skin cancer.
  • What are UVB rays? They are sun rays that affect the outer layers of the skin causing sunburns.
  • What is SPF? (Sun Protection Factor) It's a number that you can use to decide how much protection you will need while in the sun. The higher the SPF number the longer the protection. All our sunscreens have UVA/UVB protection.

Sun Damage

Most of our sun damage was done in our early years, and we won't see the damage until we begin to get older. You might wake up one day with a strange brown spot on your face that was not there the day before. You try and think what did I do? Where did this come from? How do I get rid of it? The most common brown spots I have seen in my practice are on the high cheek bone area and temples, however they can appear just about anywhere. There are a few causes for them, over exposure to the sun, picking your pimples, a sensitivity to a product ingredient, hormonal changes, and sometimes medication can bring them on. Once you begin having brown spots that are not freckles, your number one way to keep them from getting any worse is to wear sunscreen daily, minimum of spf 15 but spf 30 is better. There are a few different options to treat brown spots. Having a good regimen with products that work is key.

Click here to see our selection of Amazing skin lighteners.

Sunscreen Info

Without regular use of sunscreen the skin can develop many different problems. Sun damage or photo damage produces both skin cancers as well as photo-aging. Photo-aging shows itself on the skin as wrinkling, scaling, dryness, and dark pigmentation. Being aware of the damage that is caused by the sun is half the battle. In addition, sun avoidance and regular sunscreen are encouraged in the prevention of skin cancer.

  • Chemical sunscreens work as a protective film that absorbs UV rays before they penetrate the skin.
  • Physical Sunscreens work by reflecting UV rays.


Photo aging: Is damage that is caused to the skin, such as fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, and leathery appearance to the skin. It happens when you over expose yourself to the sun without adequate protection.

  • What is SPF? (Sun Protection Factor) It's a number that you can use to decide how much protection you will need while in the sun. Let's say if you went into the sun without any protection, how long would it take you to burn? 10 minutes, 30 minutes? Take that SPF number and times it by the minutes it would take you to burn and that will be the total time it will protect you while in the sun.  For example: You burn in 30 minutes and you're using a SPF of 15. 15 X 30 min = 450 minutes calculates to about 7 ½ hours of protection. If you burn in about 10 min, then 15 X 10min = 150 minutes, calculated to about 2 ½ hours of protection.
  • What are UVA rays? They are sun rays that penetrate deep into the skin causing photo aging and skin cancer.
  • What are UVB rays? They are sun rays that affect the outer layers of the skin causing sunburns and contribute to skin cancer.


Do sunscreens seem to make you break out? Not all Sunscreens are bad. Read our pore clogging/irritation list of ingredients. Here are 2 of our Most Popular Sunscreens that won't clog your pores. Try Jan Marini's Antioxidant Daily Face Protectant and Rhonda Allison's eZinc Protection Cream.

Beware of water proof sunscreens. In the last year or so water proof sunscreens were challenged and now they are called water resistant. With improved formulations these new water resistant sunscreens can last even when submerged in water. It is always best to re apply when doing activities with water and/or heavy sweating.

It's important to protect yourself from damaging sun rays. Don't forget to protect your lips as well. 

#1 way to stop sun damage

Sunscreen everyday rain or shine! In addition, wearing a hat when going into direct sunlight for long periods of time, and avoid direct sunlight as much as possible.

What can happen when you don't protect yourself

Without regular use of sunscreen the skin can develop many different problems. Sun damage or photo damage produces both skin cancers as well as photo-aging. Photo-aging shows itself on the skin as wrinkling, scaling, dryness, and dark pigmentation. Being aware of the damage that is caused by the sun is half the battle. Sun avoidance and regular sunscreen use are widely promoted by organizations and individuals interested in cancer prevention.