Yes, Sunscreen Is That Important for Your Skin’s Health

We know — when we give you “the talk” about wearing sunscreen daily, it can make you cringe — and wonder if it truly makes that much of a difference.

Plenty of patients tell us they don’t like the feeling of sunscreen or that it leaves an unwanted white film on their skin. 

Vanity aside, sunscreen is essential for healthy skin and slowing the signs of aging. Plus, there are sunscreens out now that are both comfortable to wear and sheer.

Dr. Brian Ching and Samantha Ching, PA-C, believe you can do much for your skin that impacts both your dermatologic health and future, as well as your appearance. They’re committed to educating you about the sun’s effects on your skin and how you can combat them. 

If you’ve already sustained skin damage from the sun, Sakura Aesthetics offers treatments that help restore and rejuvenate your skin so you can get your glow back again. 

How the sun damages your skin — and puts you at risk for skin cancer

Never underestimate the power of the sun’s UV (ultraviolet) rays. They contribute to:

• DNA damage in your skin cells
• Hyperpigmentation, fine lines, uneven skin tone, sagging, and other signs of premature aging
• Actinic keratosis (precancerous skin lesions)
• Skin discoloration
• Benign tumors
• Telangiectasias (small, broken, or damaged blood vessels visible through the skin)
• Cancerous skin lesions (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma)

Whether UV rays are natural or artificial (from a tanning booth), they’re both damaging, though tanning-bed rays are more concentrated and the damage more accelerated. Don’t fall for the myth that tanning beds are safe for establishing a “base tan.” 

Any tan indicates that your skin has been injured, so there’s no “safe” level. In fact, tanning bed users who start sessions before the age of 35 have a 75% higher risk of developing the most dangerous type of skin cancer, melanoma. 

Sunscreen: Always an essential

Because of the dangers above, it’s critical for you to use sunscreen daily — no matter who you are. Unfortunately, myths persist about sunscreen, including:

• Only fair-skinned people need to apply sunscreen
• Sunscreen contains harmful chemicals and isn’t worth the risk
• You only need to use sunscreen when it’s sunny out
• Only pricier sunscreens do the job of protecting your skin 

Each one of these statements is false. No matter what your skin tone, you need sunscreen. Even if you have a high amount of melanin in your skin, the pigment that gives skin its color, daily sunscreen use is still essential. 

Regarding sunscreen safety, no evidence exists that connects sunscreen use with hormone disruption in humans. Mineral sunscreens scatter and deflect UV rays, while the chemical formulas absorb the UV rays before they can damage your skin. 

And believe us when we say, your skin can sustain sun damage on cloudy, overcast days too! The damaging UV rays go straight to your skin, even when the sun isn’t shining. 

Tips for choosing the best sunscreen include selecting one that’s broad-spectrum, which protects against both UVA and UVB rays, and purchasing sunscreen that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30-50 or higher. Unfortunately, most people don’t apply enough sunscreen, so choosing a higher SPF can provide better protection. 

Finally, make sure you never skip a day with sunscreen. Consistency is paramount — and don’t be shy when you apply. Apply sunscreen generously and reapply every two hours, or even more often if you’re swimming or perspiring heavily.

Even if you practice perfect sunscreen protocol now, you still may notice sun damage from past indiscretions. We can help with skin rejuvenation treatments like:

• Chemical peels that use acid blends to encourage cell growth and collagen production
• Red light therapy that improves skin circulation and helps repair skin cells
• Microneedling treatment that creates controlled microinjuries to the skin to stimulate repair
• BioRePeelⓇ, an Italian treatment that blends bio-stimulation with exfoliation
• TixelⓇ treatment that uses heat and a metal-tipped handheld device to address imperfections
• Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) treatment that uses a protein your body produces to improve skin
• UltraClear laser treatment that uses cold fiber laser technology to reduce sun damage
• Skin boosters, which are injectables that contain hyaluronic acid and other effective ingredients 
• An extensive line of medical-grade skincare products that provide evidence-based results

Our goal is to provide you with the most advanced, highly personalized (thanks to the Aura Facial Camera), and safest treatment, no matter what your goals are. We want you to look like yourself — only with healthier, more beautiful skin.

Schedule an appointment by calling our Honolulu office at 808-204-2969 to learn which combination of treatments is best for your skin and more about preventive sun safety. You can also book one with us online.