Whether you’re deep into the latest skincare trends or you stick to the basics, sunscreen is probably part of your skincare routine. If you’re still not using sunscreen every day, Dr. Arathi Rana of U.S. Dermatology Partners Sherman and Paris, TX recommends, “Daily sunscreen use is one of the most important steps in protecting the skin from both short- and long-term damage. Consistent use helps reduce the risk of skin cancer, premature aging, and other cumulative effects of sun exposure. Incorporating sunscreen into a daily routine is a simple but highly effective form of prevention.” In this blog, Dr. Rana answers common questions like why wear sunscreen daily, what happens when you don’t use sunblock, and what sunscreen should I use?
What Happens When You Don’t Wear Sunscreen?
Without sunscreen, skin is unprotected from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays. This is one of the most consistent and damaging environmental aggressors that skin comes up against daily. UV rays penetrate the surface layers of skin and cause damage at the cellular level. This damage is cumulative. That means the initial sunburn or tan that occurs after sun exposure may not be severe, but over time, damage compounds. Even short daily exposure adds to the cumulative effect of the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. Below, we review the cons of not wearing sunscreen, including:
- Damaging collagen and elastin, leading to increased skin laxity and wrinkles.
- Damaging DNA, which increases risk for skin cancer.
- Triggering inflammation, causing redness and skin irritation.
- Weakening the skin’s protective barrier, leading to dryness, flaking, and peeling skin.
- Suppressing natural immune response.
The Short-Term Effects of Skipping Sunscreen
According to Dr. Rana, “Skipping sunscreen can lead to both immediate and long-term skin damage. Sunburns are the most visible adverse response. While sunburns heal relatively quickly with proper treatment, the damage they cause is more than just skin deep. Ultraviolet exposure damages skin cells at the DNA level and triggers an inflammatory response within the skin. Every sunburn, especially severe burns in childhood, can significantly increase the risk of developing skin cancer later in life.” Sunburn symptoms to look out for include:
- Skin redness and irritation.
- Inflammation and swelling.
- Pain or sensitivity.
- Dry, peeling skin as the sunburn heals.
- Blistering or oozing skin in severe cases.
The Long-Term Effects of Not Wearing Sunscreen
The long-term effects of UV damage to skin can be both progressive and permanent. Over time, unprotected sun exposure contributes to more noticeable and lasting changes in the skin. Some of the long-term effects of choosing not to wear sunscreen include:
- Premature skin aging – natural skin aging is gradual, but premature skin aging, commonly known as photoaging, speeds up this process. Cumulative sun damage breaks down collagen and elastin proteins that give skin its smooth, supple appearance. As collagen and elastin breaks down, signs of skin aging like fine lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores, sagging, and rough, leathery texture occur.
- Hyperpigmentation – without sunscreen, UV rays can cause excess production of melanin. These are skin’s pigment-producing cells. This excess melanin leads to dark spots referred to as sunspots or age spots. Darker pigmentation also leads to a generally uneven skin tone and can worsen conditions like melasma.
- Vascular damage – the small blood vessels in skin are often weakened by sun damage. This causes visible broken capillaries (also called spider veins), redness, and skin that appears flushed, especially on the nose and cheeks. Without treatment in the early stages, this damage can be permanent.
- Damaged skin barrier – the outer layers of skin are essential to protect the body from damaging environmental aggressors, and a healthy skin barrier holds in key moisture and ensures key nutrients can be absorbed and retained. When UV damage weakens the protective barrier, skin becomes dry, sensitive, and irritated, and takes longer to heal, leading to increased risk of infection.
- Immune suppression – UV damage suppresses the immune system, making it more difficult to repair UV damage, defend against pathogens, destroy abnormal cells, and heal wounds.
Increased Risk of Skin Cancer
The most serious long-term impact of daily sun exposure is an increased risk of skin cancer. Daily sunscreen use helps minimize this risk. UV radiation is the leading cause of skin cancer, and the cumulative effects of sun damage significantly raise risks of developing all forms of skin cancer, including:
- Melanoma – this type of skin cancer is less common, but it can be life-threatening if not detected early. Melanoma develops in the melanin skin cells, but it can spread quickly to surrounding areas if not diagnosed and treated at the early stages. It may develop from an existing mole or appear as a new, irregular growth.
- Basal cell carcinoma – the most common form of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma may develop as a pearly bump or a lesion that doesn’t heal. These lesions typically grow slowly, but local skin damage can be significant if left untreated.
- Squamous cell carcinoma – this type of skin cancer may look like a thickened, scaly patch of skin or a slow-healing sore. Over time, it may grow deeper into the skin or spread to other parts of the body.
Sunscreen Use: The Gap Between Awareness & Behavior
Knowing the many sunscreen benefits doesn’t mean people will apply sunscreen consistently. Instead, many people only apply sunscreen before spending a significant amount of time outdoors at an event or on vacation. People underestimate the risk associated with daily sun exposure from everyday activities like walking the dog, sitting next to a window, or even driving to work. Many believe they are applying adequate amounts of sunscreen frequently enough, but they may not be.
Why People Skip Sunscreen (Even When They Know Better)
Even when people understand the importance of sunscreen, many still skip it as part of their daily routine. Common reasons range from misconceptions about when sunscreen is needed to concerns about how products feel on the skin. Some of the common reasons people give for skipping sunscreen include:
- “I’m not outside enough” – this misconception that sunscreen is only necessary when people are outside for long periods is harmful. Short periods of exposure add up over time. Even if you’re not outdoors, sunlight can penetrate car, office, and home windows.
- “I just forget” – because sunscreen isn’t an ingrained habit like tooth brushing, people easily forget their sunblock during busy mornings.
- “It makes me look bad” – using the wrong sunscreen can leave behind a white cast, give skin a greasy texture, or even trigger acne breakouts or flareups in chronic skin conditions. This highlights the importance of investing in the right sunscreen. Choose a lightweight option that’s non-comedogenic.
- “I get enough sun protection from my makeup” – sun protection factor (SPF) in sunblock is much more effective than small doses of SPF found in makeup. It’s essential to use a board-spectrum sunblock and apply enough to be effective.
- “I put sunscreen on before I left the house” – while an initial morning application is beneficial, without reapplication, sunscreen can wear off and leave skin vulnerable.
- “I don’t need sunscreen when it’s cloudy or cold” – UV rays can penetrate clouds. Even during cold weather, the sun’s UVA and UVB rays still cause damage. Your skin is at risk of sun damage year-round, so you should apply sunscreen no matter the weather.
When to Wear Sunscreen (And How to Use It Properly)
It’s important to apply sunscreen every day and reapply as needed. Consistency is key to minimizing both short- and long-term damage from UV radiation.
- Use sunscreen daily – every morning, put on sunscreen even if it’s cold or cloudy.
- Apply last – sunscreen should be the last step in your morning skincare routine. If you wear makeup, you can apply this over sunscreen. Otherwise, sunblock should be the last step in your routine.
- Reapply regularly – when it comes to how often to apply sunscreen, every two hours is recommended. You may need to reapply more frequently if you’re sweating or spending time in the water.
- Choose the right sunblock – look for sunscreens that are broad-spectrum, which means they protect against UVA and UVB rays. A good sunblock should also have an SPF of 30 or higher.
- Apply thoroughly – be sure to cover areas of skin that are often overlooked, including ears, neck, hands, hairline, and the sensitive skin around the eyes.
Don’t Skip Sunscreen – Anytime of Year!
It’s important to follow your dermatologist’s sun protection tips. Adding sunscreen into your daily routine is a simple daily habit that takes just a few moments each morning to help prevent short and long-term damage, and minimize risk for health concerns like skin cancer. Don’t put yourself at unnecessary risk. Start prioritizing daily sunscreen application today.
Shop Sunscreens on DermSkincare.com.
Schedule Your Annual Skin Exam
Whether you’ve noticed a concerning spot, have a high risk for skin cancer, or simply want to ensure early diagnosis and treatment, annual skin exams are essential. When you’re ready to schedule a skin cancer and dermatologic evaluation with U.S. Dermatology Partners, take just a few moments to fill out our scheduling request form. Once a local dermatology team receives your request, they’ll be in touch to finalize the details.
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