Since we’re in the middle of summer, we hope you’re applying sunscreen every day to keep the results of your favorite treatments as beautiful as possible. If you aren’t wearing sunscreen every day, did you know that you could be hampering the effects of your laser treatments? UV rays contribute to signs of premature aging like sun spots and wrinkles so if you’re getting laser treatments to turn back the hands of time or lighten your skin, a daily application of sunscreen could help.
If you want to know which sunscreen is best for you, keep reading.
Physical Sunscreens
Some of the safest sunscreens on the market are chemical-free, also known as mineral sunscreens or physical sunscreens. The active ingredients in these are either Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide, or a combination of the two. If you see any other active ingredient on the bottle, you have a hybrid sunscreen.
Physical sunscreens are usually regarded as the “safest” sunscreens because they are less likely to cause irritation, instigate allergic reactions, or disrupt hormones. These are also considered safer for coral reefs and other wildlife.
Due to the ingredients, physical sunscreens are unfortunately often more thick, chalky, and prone to leave you with a ghostly pallor. Nano-sized particles in newer formulations can cut down on the texture issues and the white cast that remains after you’ve rubbed in your sunscreen, but these can pose possible issues when absorbed into the bloodstream.
Chemical Sunscreens
Chemical sunscreens tend to come in more appealing formulas, since their active ingredients don’t result in the thicker formulations that physical sunscreens usually require. Since they go on more sheer, some people find them more enjoyable to apply everyday, which might be a good case to try them. If the texture of physical sunscreen keeps you from wearing it, then try a chemical formula to keep UV rays at bay.
Certain ingredients can cause issues, so do your research if you have specific concerns or health issues. Oxybenzone mimics estrogen, but there are many other active sunscreen ingredients that don’t pose a problem.
Wearing sunscreen every day can preserve the results of your favorite treatments, and will especially keep the results of skin lightening treatments longer than if you go without. If you’re interested in skin lightening or other beautifying treatments, give us a call at (631) 424-6707 to schedule a consultation.