Blog: Everything Under the Sun
An Interview with Dr. Friedman
In today’s blog, we revisit an interview with Dr Friedman. He had an incredible professional career in New York City. We know him as our founder, a truly respected dermatologist who had a significant impact on skin cancer prevention, treatment and education. He was also one of the brilliant minds at NYU Langone Medical Center who developed the ABCDEs of Melanoma, a skin cancer detection technique. Read on to learn his motivation behind starting the company. SO, DR. FRIEDMAN, WHY DID YOU WANT TO START MDSOLARSCIENCES™? The short answer is that I wanted to help people. I’m a dermatologic oncologist by profession, so I see more than my fair share of skin cancer. I’ve seen what it can do to someone’s life. I’ve seen the pain, the fear, the loss of confidence, even the loss of life that can follow a diagnosis. Many of my days have been spent helping people who already have skin cancer, but I wanted to do my part in decreasing the likelihood of the disease. I love telling people that they are cancer-free, so it seemed like the next logical step to fight skin cancer at its source. If I can put myself out of a job, I’ll be happy. WOULD IT BE FAIR TO SAY THAT YOUR PATIENTS INSPIRED THE CREATION OF THE BRAND? Absolutely! I made a deal with my patients: I’ll treat you, but you have to wear sunscreen every single day. I thought it would be an easy deal to make, but it was such a real struggle to get people to comply. I would constantly hear that sunscreen was too sticky, greasy or whitening. Eventually, I realized that they were right. I knew I could create a line of products with luxurious, high-end aesthetics that fit seamlessly into your everyday routine; all while providing safe, effective coverage. So that’s what I set out to do. DO YOU THINK THERE IS A CERTAIN STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH SUN PROTECTION? There are certainly a lot of preconceptions about sunscreen. Too many people view it as a chore to be done only when going to the beach, or playing tennis. They expect it to be greasy and heavy and gross. They think that a sunburn is the only price they will pay for overexposure, or that all sun protection products are interchangeable. That’s just not the case. WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU WANT THE WORLD TO KNOW ABOUT SUN PROTECTION? I want everyone to understand that sun protection is an important part of living a healthy lifestyle, and that it can be easily integrated into a daily routine. The sun is there every day… you should protect yourself every day. The team at MDSolarSciences, led by CEO Renee Plato, carries on the vision of Dr Friedman. Visit our sunscreen page to learn more about our incredible formulas and texture, it is truly SPF you will want to wear every day and everywhere! For Daily protection and hydration, as a base before make up or on its own, check out Daily Perfecting Moisturizer SPF 30. For a tinted SPF, check out our Mineral BB Créme SPF 50 or Mineral Tinted Crème SPF 30.
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Chemical VS. Mineral Sunscreens
Sunscreen is sunscreen, right? Well… not really. There are two distinct forms of sunscreen that protect you in two different ways. Understanding the dangers of the sun’s radiation is important because it allows you to take the proper steps towards complete protection, but understanding how you are protected can be just as important. Finding “Broad Spectrum” on the front of your sunscreen is a must, but what should you look for on the back? What is the difference between chemical and mineral sunscreens? What do sunscreens and cough syrups have in common? No, it’s not the fact that drinking an entire bottle is a bad idea. Actually, drinking any amount of sunscreen is a bad idea. Just to be clear: do not drink sunscreen. So what is the similarity here? Both products are considered over-the-counter drugs. This means that there is a very important section on the back of your sunscreen labeled “Active Ingredients”. The active ingredients are what make a formula a sunscreen. They are the shield that guards you from the sun’s harmful rays. The active ingredients allow you to take that run or that swim without worrying about sun damage. So now that we’ve established what they do, let’s talk a little bit about how they do it. Mineral There are only two active ingredients that fall under the category of mineral sunscreens: Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. When most people think of the earliest sunscreens, the image of a lifeguard with a white paste on his or her nose comes to mind. That white paste was a mineral sunscreen made of crushed Zinc Oxide. This early remedy was unattractive, but surprisingly effective. Mineral sunscreens do not penetrate the skin. Instead, the active ingredients sit on the top layer of skin and deflect the sun’s rays. This is why that lifeguard never could get that paste to rub in. Zinc is a fantastic sunscreen. It is naturally broad spectrum, meaning it protects against UVA and UVB rays. So why didn’t sunscreens always use mineral actives? It all comes back to that lifeguard’s nose. Nobody knew how to make a mineral product that wouldn’t make you look like a ghost (not the best beach look). The unattractive whitening effect caused people to search out a new method of sun protection, leading to the rise of chemical sunscreens. Today’s mineral active ingredients can be micronized, which is a fancy way of saying we figured out how to crush things even smaller. This allows the most recent products to reduce and eliminate that unappealing whitening effect. Chemical Chemical sunscreens are by far the most prevalent products out there. They protect you from the sun by penetrating the skin and absorbing UV light, kind of like a sponge. Chemical sunscreens solved the whitening problem that plagued early mineral sunscreens, and immediately became the norm. Because chemicals do not sit on top of the skin like minerals, they can be paired with moisturizers that need to penetrate skin to be effective. Despite these advantages, chemical sunscreens do have some limitations. There are no chemicals that can cover the full spectrum (UVA + UVB) by themselves. Each one specializes in a specific segment of the spectrum, which means that they need to be combined with other chemicals to achieve broad spectrum protection. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, the need for more ingredients has led to the use of chemicals that some consider controversial. Oxybenzone, PABA and octinoxate, for example, are common skin irritants. These chemicals can cause sensitivity in at least 10% of the population, but are still among the most commonly used ingredients. Not all chemical sunscreens, however, are considered controversial. Avobenzone is effective at covering the entire UVA spectrum, but needs to be combined with other chemical ingredients to provide broad spectrum protection. The good news is that Avobenzone can be stabilized so that it does not break down in the sun. Brands sometimes prefer stabilized chemicals when they are trying to achieve a certain feel in a formula. Which One is Best? Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Some mineral and chemical actives can be used together in sunscreens. While these can be effective, they are often misleading. Lots of products have “Mineral” in their title, but are actually hybrids. Take a look at the back of your sunscreen package. In order for something to be fully mineral, the only two active ingredients allowed are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. While minerals are generally considered safer and more effective, you don’t have to get scared off by chemical sunscreens. Be a discerning consumer. Safer sun protection is easy when you know what to look for. Check out the chart below and visit our sunscreen page for more information on our Mineral/Physical and Chemical sunscreens. Now that you're an expert on physical and chemical sunscreens, head over to our 'UV rays' blog to learn about UVA, UVB and UVC rays.
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Five Questions with Dr Dray
Dr Dray is a Board Certified Dermatologist and skincare enthusiast based in Houston, TX. She has built a strong presence on Youtube and other social media platforms where she answers her followers' most pressing skincare questions. 1. What is your favorite thing about your job?I like helping patients understand their skin conditions so that they can better manage triggers and modify their skin care routines accordingly. When it comes to chronic diseases, knowledge is power and patients like being able to take control of their skin issues beyond their medications. 2. If you could make all your patients pick up one skincare habit, what would it be? Sunscreen! It makes the biggest difference long term. 3. And if you could make them drop one bad skincare habit, what would it be? Tanning. Nothing destroys the skin faster than a sun tan or a trip to the tanning bed. What are the best skincare routines for the 3 main life stages: 20s, 30s-40s, 50+? Sunscreen, moisturizer, cleanser. Keeping things simple is the best thing for skin across all age groups and is the most sustainable. What is your goal on Tik Tok next year 😊? Or what do you most enjoy about Tik Tok? The TikTok audience is a younger demographic compared to those who follow me on Instagram and Youtube. I hope to tap into this group to influence them to protect their skin from the sun. The younger these habits start, the greater the long term benefits. Dr Dray sums it up best in her bio, "don't forget to sunscreen and subscribe for more!": https://www.youtube.com/c/DrDrayzday/featured https://www.instagram.com/drdrayzday/ https://www.facebook.com/DrDrayzDay/ Check out our other 5 Questions with a Dermatologist blog featuring Dr. Tomassian.
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Q&A with Dr. Tomassian
Q: What is your favorite thing about your job?A: One thing I truly love about my job is that I can help make changes to someone's skin, skincare routine, or skin disease that helps heal them physically, emotionally, and mentally. It is important for me to help my patients feel their most confident in their own skin. Each patient is so unique and I try my best to help them all individually. Q: If you could make all your patients pick up one skincare habit, what would it be?A: If there is one thing I can ask all my patients to do in regards to their skincare routine it would be applying quality sunscreen (at least SPF 30) every single day. Wearing sunscreen every day not only helps prevent skin cancer but also helps prevent and reduce the appearance of dark spots and wrinkles. Q: And if you could make them drop one bad skincare habit, what would it be?A: Unfortunately, there is a long list of bad skincare habits I wish I could enforce. However, if I had to pick the worst it would be applying products that you don't understand and don't need for your skin. So many people are buying skincare products just because they "look good", send trendy, or have seen someone else use them. Many times adding more than one product into your skin care routine can actually irritate your skin or make your skin worse. Understanding what your skin needs is the first and most important step for a successful skincare routine. Be cautious and careful with what products you start incorporating into your skincare routine. Sometimes, less is more. Q: What are the best skincare routines for the 3 main life stages: 20s, 30s-40s, 50+A: 20s: Cleanser, basic moisturizer, Sunscreen 30s: Cleanser, Vitamin C, Moisturizer, Sunscreen, Retinoid 50 +: Cleanser, Vitamin C, Sunscreen, Retinoid and incorporating a moisturizer with Alpha Hydroxy acids such as lactic acid to help thicken thin skin. Q: What is your goal on Tik Tok next year 😊? Or what do you most enjoy about Tik Tok?A: My goal with my TikTok platform for 2021 is the same as when I started TikTok in April 2020. I want to create valuable, science-based skincare videos that are accessible for everyone. My intention from day one is to make relatable, digestible, and science-based content. It's also very fun for me! I enjoy interacting with users as well as fellow dermatologists. It is so motivating for me to see the results of my content come to fruition. If you have purchased any products you love, changed anything in your skincare routine or have learned anything new about skincare because of my content, please tag me in a post or DM me at @dr.tomassian!
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5 ways to stay winter sun-safe with your FSA
When the days start getting shorter and the temperatures drop, we’ll forgive you if one of the last thoughts on your mind is your sun care regimen! But if you ask any dermatologist, he or she will tell you that winter is not the time to rest on your laurels when it comes to sun care. Creating a year-round sun care regimen is essential to helping reduce your risk of skin cancer, skin damage, and other potential long-term issues that can affect your skin. The sun’s rays are also the main cause for skin aging, so your SPF is really your anti-aging first step. The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA) backs this up as well. The AADA recommends sunscreen use every day if you will be outside. They go on to say, “The sun emits harmful UV rays year-round. Even on cloudy days, up to 80 percent of the sun’s harmful UV rays can penetrate your skin.” Thankfully, if you are interested in boosting your daily sun care regimen, your FSA gives you a massive advantage. Luckily, many of your favorite MDSolarSciences sun care products are covered by an FSA or HSA. So if it’s time to up your winter sun care regimen, use your tax-free funds first! How FSAs make sun care safer Shopping for eligible sun protection products with your FSA should always be your first move. The fact is, eligibility requirements for FSA eligible sun care products can help eliminate products that may not be as effective. For a sun care product to be FSA eligible, it must utilize a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or above, and provide broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays. So as you work more sun care practices into your daily routine, shopping with your FSA first can ensure that you have a solid foundation to build on. Here are a few FSA-friendly winter sun safety tips that can help you maximize the potential of your FSA dollars and protect you and your family from UV rays every day. 1. Consult the weather and activity level when shopping sunscreen When you’re building a year-round sun care regimen, think about how your skin reacts to different weather conditions. Does your skin tend to dry out in the winter months? Is it more oily during the summer months? Pay particular attention to the ingredients in your sunscreen and use the one that is best for the conditions on that day. For instance, if it’s going to be a windy, dry afternoon, go with a daily SPF with a built-in moisturizer that uses ingredients like lanolin or glycerine. If you’re going to be active and build up a sweat, opting for a water-resistant sunscreen of 80 minutes (highest-level) may be the better option. When in doubt, pick the sun care product that is best for what you’ll be doing and where you’ll be heading. MDSolarSciences Pick: Daily Wear SPF 30 Moisturizing Sunscreen 2. Pay attention to altitude Skiing and snowboarding rule the roost of winter activities, and if you’ve ever spent a day on the slopes without any sunscreen, you may have endured your share of cold weather sunburns. According to the University of Texas MD Anderson Center, the sun’s rays are more damaging at higher altitudes as less UV radiation is filtered out, while the snow on ski slopes has the potential to reflect up to 80 percent of the sun’s rays. Always apply sunscreen on exposed areas before you hit the slopes, and be sure to reapply throughout the day. A pure mineral sunscreen that forms a physical barrier on the skin surface also affords a level of protection against windburns. MDSolarSciences Pick: Mineral Creme Broad Spectrum SPF 50 3. Don’t forget lip sun care! If chapped, dry lips are a fact of life for you during the winter months, regular sun protection may be the answer you’re looking for. Your FSA also covers sun protective lip balm (SPF 15 or above and broad-spectrum) that will stop your lips from drying out due to sun damage and wind burn, while nourishing the underlying skin layers with active ingredients like aloe vera and other essential oils. Apply throughout the day to keep your lips hydrated and healthy and safeguarded from the sun’s rays. MDSolarSciences Pick: Hydrating Sheer Lip Balm SPF 30 Trio 4. Don’t skip sun care on cloudy days Cloudy and rainy days mean you can slack a little bit on your sun care regimen, right? In reality, even during overcast days, UV rays will reach the Earth’s surface and your skin. In fact, the MD Anderson Center reports that some studies have shown that cloudy days could even be worse for UV levels during an effect called cloud enhancement of UV radiation. This refers to when the sun’s beams reflect off the sides of clouds causing radiation to be more focused and dangerous. So even if rain is in the forecast in the future, stick to your sun care plan! MDSolarSciences Pick: Quick Dry Body Spray SPF 405. Are your eyes protected? Finally, winter sun care means more than just sunscreen! While sunscreen needs to be applied around the sensitive eye area that is prone to skin cancers; your eyes are also susceptible to internal damage from the sun’s rays. Even long-term health issues like melanoma and cataracts can arise in the eyes without proper sun protection. If it’s time to invest in a new pair of prescription sunglasses, your FSA covers that too! Look for designs that have additional protection on the sides of the face to block out UV rays that may enter from the side. And if you’re going to be skiing or snowboarding in the future, be sure to wear goggles or another form of wrap-around eye wear to keep your eyes protected. Unfortunately, your ski goggles aren’t covered by your FSA! Year-round sun care is not just a smart choice for your overall skin health, it could help you avoid potentially dangerous skin cancers and other conditions that could arise from excessive UV exposure. Whether you have excess funds to spend before your FSA deadline, or you’re simply looking to fully maximize your FSA’s potential, proper sun care is one of the best choices you can make for your health now and into the future.
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Blue Light and Skin Damage: What is the blue light effect on skin?
By now you've probably heard about blue light – maybe you've read that it can disrupt your sleep or even affect your eyes. There’s a good chance you've stumbled upon blue light blocking glasses or even screen protectors, but have you seen blue light blocking skincare? The category is popping up – but what’s the deal? Can blue light really impact your skin? The short answer: yes. Luckily, there’s some simple swaps you can make to protect yourself. What is blue light and where does it come from? This is a form of light with a very short wavelength, not to be confused with UVA or UVB Rays, it’s emitted from a wide variety of places – the sun, indoor lighting, and all of your screens. The blue light found in nature plays a critical role in regulating our bodies circadian rhythm (aka our sleep cycle), and it can affect our mood, memory, and overall cognitive function. But given that we’re spending more and more indoors and in front of screens (thanks Covid) concerns around long term exposure to blue light have been growing. What is the blue light effect on skin? Blue light can penetrate deeper into your skin than UVA or UVB rays. In fact, it reaches all the way to your dermis, where collagen and elastin live. Because of this, it has the ability to impact the firmness of our skin and increase visible lines (especially compared to UV rays. Early studies have shown a link between blue light and skin damage and suggest that it could be inducing pigmentation – think brown spots, discoloration, melasma, or even photoaging. The important thing to keep in mind is that the effects of blue light aren’t visible right away, much like sun exposure, damage from blue light takes time. The more exposure to blue light your skin faces, the more your skin's regenerative cycle gets thrown off, leading to more damage potential down the line. What does this mean for my skincare routine? Most dermatologists are recommending that we take a more protective stance when it comes to our skin – especially given this increased screen time. If one of your goals is to help minimize the effects of blue light, there’s one major goal your skincare routine should accomplish: it should help neutralize unstable molecules that are caused by free radical formation. Translation? Antioxidants are critical. If you're already regularly applying an antioxidant serum or moisturizer, you're likely already protecting yourself from the damage that can come from blue light. Another way to protect your skin is to make sure your SPF contains a physical sun protection active ingredient like Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide. Why? Mineral or physical sunscreens work by reflecting rays away from the skin, so they will protect against UV rays and blue light. Make sure to invest in a mineral sunscreen, and if it also contains antioxidants including vitamin B3 or Niacinamide, even better. Some of our favorites include our Mineral Créme SPF 50 which has a lightweight feel and blends seamlessly to skin with an incredible matte finish. Our Hydrating Sheer Lip Balm SPF 30 is another great option with SPF 50, especially if you’re looking for a tinted option to help even out skin and reduce discoloration. And if you have had a bad experience with mineral sunscreen or think of Zinc as the colorful thick warlike paint on football players’ faces, the good news is that it has changed… a lot. MDSolarSciences’ mineral SPF all have incredible velvety textures, don’t leave any white cast behind and provide an invisible matte finish on the skin. What else can I do to protect my skin from blue light? Aside from upgrading your skin care routine there are a few at home tricks to try: Invest in a blue light filter for your screens - from your computer to your cell phone. This will benefit your skin, your eyes, and your screen cycle. It’s also recommended to lower the brightness on your screen up to 50%. Take advantage of your device’s nighttime setting – these tint your phone to a yellow hue to counterbalance blue light. Make sure you’re getting antioxidants through your diet – rich leafy greens and fruits like blueberries will give your skin an antioxidant boost. Whenever you can, spend time away from your devices. Remember, the less blue light you're exposed to the better chance your skin has of being protected. And wear more SPF!
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Simple Skin Care Steps to Take Every Day
Ever since quarantine started it’s been tough to find the motivation to put on a cute outfit, let alone apply makeup, or take proper care of our skin. But the truth is, we all know that taking care of our skin is important. So today we’re helping you get back on track--starting with the basics. After all a proper skincare routine can change everything (including helping us feel more put together). Now the first thing you need to know is that there are some key differences between your evening and morning skincare routines. These subtle changes can transform your skin. Read on to learn more about distinguishing your evening cleanse from your morning face routine. Skin Care Steps to Take Every Night After a long day you (and your skin) have both gone through a lot. While you’re navigating virtual learning and zoom conference calls your skin is fighting off exposure to the elements - from dry air, to dirt, uv rays, and other environmental factors. But this is where beauty sleep comes in - while you’re catching some zzz’s your skin starts rebuilding itself. Overnight it works to generate collagen and repair sun damage. Your pre-sleep beauty routine can actually help this nighttime recovery process. Here’s what you need to know: always take care of your most delicate skin – the area around your eyes. We love using our fragrance-free MD Restore Eye Gel because its formulated with a blend of collagen repair peptides and antioxidants. Plus, it supports skin’s overnight renewal by working to reduce the appearance of puffiness, dark circles, fine lines, and wrinkles (aka it helps you wake up looking totally refreshed). To apply, place product on the tip of your ring finger. Why? It’s naturally your weakest, which makes its application a touch more delicate. But what about the rest of your skin? Our go-to treat is a serum, specifically the MD Revitalize Retinol Serum. The lightweight formula helps restore your skin's radiance and keeps your complexion bright. The secret ingredient is one you hear about often—retinol. A powerful form of vitamin A, retinol helps boost collagen, plump skin, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also can help combat hyperpigmentation and redness. Our formula is super gentle, so it’s great for those with sensitive skin or anyone who’s new to using retinol. Want to give your skin even more help? Focus on combatting nighttime dryness. From midday well into the evening, your skin goes through something called transepidermal water loss where it slowly dries out due to the absence of natural oils. Hydrating your skin pre-sleep helps minimize that. We love using the Skin Savior Multi-Tasking Wonder Balm by One Love Organics. Your Morning Skin Care Routine After a good night’s rest, it’s time to prep your skin to face the day. These simple skincare steps can change the game. First up – make sure you wash your face. The reason? While you sleep your skin can actually accumulate a buildup of debris – ranging from dead skin cells, to allergens in the air. We love Cerave’s gentle formulas, which are available in different variations based on your skin type. Next – it’s time to moisturize. Start once more, with your eyes. Our pick is the MD Solar Sciences MD Restore Eye Gel. The super smooth formula protects your most sensitive skin and gives it a firmer, more elastic appearance all while reducing puffiness, dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles. Then it’s time to care for your face. Our Daily Perfecting Moisturizer SPF 30 is a fan-favorite, and for good reason. It hydrates skin while protecting it from the sun’s harmful rays. The lightweight lotion boasts anti-aging benefits and contains time-released humectants that keep your skin hydrated all day long. Plus it contains a kick of caffeine to help reduce the signs of UV-induced damage, keeping your skin . Now technically, you can wrap things up after moisturizing. But if you need a little something extra – you’ve got options. Rather than defaulting to a heavy foundation consider using a tinted moisturizer (like our Mineral Tinted Créme SPF 30). These formulas are lighter weight and tend to not be as heavy on the skin. Ours contains SPF and is enhanced with skin-supporting ingredients like antioxidants, vitamin C, and green tea. Plus, it’s great for those with sensitive skin, thanks to a gentle formula that’s rated as a one with . Finish off your look by giving your pout an extra pop. Our Hydrating Sheer Lip Balm SPF 30 offers a rich hydrating formula (thanks to shea, avocado oil, and olive butter) and gives lips a soft tint, while protecting them with SPF 30. Want to learn more about how to apply products from morning to night? Check out this video.
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Pregnancy, Motherhood & Skincare
A few months ago, we reached out to Jayme Squires to collaborate on Kid content. We loved the look and feel of her Instagram (make sure you follow her to see what we are talking about)! Originally, we sent Jayme our Kid products - KidCréme SPF 50 and KidStick SPF 40. She wanted to get a chance to test them, look at the ingredients and experience how they worked. We knew Jayme was expecting and busy with a toddler. We added a few goodies to our package, including our new Hydrating Sheer Lip Balm SPF 30 and our best-selling MD Mineral BB Créme SPF 50. When Jayme connected with us a few weeks back, she said she was ready to share some content, and it turned out it was all about the Skincare product we sent along… I think we can say that she fell in love with our Beauty Balm. During pregnancy, your skin can become more sensitive to the sun with some women developing the ‘mask of pregnancy’ or melasma. It is very important to protect your skin from the sun to avoid this or the development of any dark spots. And since you want to be on the safe side, dermatologists tend to recommend a mineral or physical sunscreen. This is because mineral or physical sunscreens sit on top of the skin and do not penetrate it. You also want to select a product that has a Broad-Spectrum formula blocking both UVA and UVB rays; and choose products that have an SPF of 30 or higher. Jayme has freckles and has a tendency to get melasma so she was interested in a product with SPF that would help her prevent these pregnancy side effects. As a busy new mom, any shortcuts and timesavers are greatly appreciated! MDSS’ Beauty Balm is a tinted BB crème with SPF in a formula packed with amazing ingredients that help improve the quality of skin over time. Instead of using 2-3 products, use Beauty Balm and you’re done, giving you back more time to spend with your little ones or some precious ‘me time’! This might be why Jayme enjoyed using Beauty Balm so much 😊. Here’s how it works: Beauty Balm comes in 2 universally flattering sheer shades that blend in seamlessly, priming skin perfectly and giving you the option to add makeup or go without. Add blush, mascara and lip tint and you are ready for the day (or night). It’s packed with antioxidants including CoQ10 and Green Tea to help fight free radicals. It contains Niacinamide and Caffeine, 2 ingredients known to help calm and repair skin, and suitable for all skin types. It also includes Squalane, a lightweight moisturizer that has anti-inflammatory properties. As Jayme put it recently:To follow Jayme, head to @jaymesquires. To learn more about how to pick Sunscreen for Kids, check out our blog post based on our Instagram Live with Dr Britt Craiglow, Pediatric Dermatologist.
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Different Types of UV Rays
UVA, UVB, & UVC Let’s talk Solar facts! Ever imagine how something so far can affect us all? The Sun emits sunlight in a form of rays that reach 150 million kilometers from the Earth. Sunlight gives out ultraviolet (UV) radiation that poses different effects on our skin and we’re gonna tell you all about the ABC’s of UV. The “A” in UVA stands for “Aging” Ultraviolet Aging (UVA) rays have the longest wavelengths out of all the three. It accounts for approximately 95 percent of the UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since UVA rays are highly penetrative, they can get into the deeper layers of the skin and can contribute to premature aging. The “B” in UVB stands for “Burning” Ultraviolet Burning (UVB) rays have Medium-wavelength and account for 5% of UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface. UVB rays can only reach the skin’s surface. It may not be as highly penetrative as UVA rays but long exposure to them can make as much damage. UVB rays are mostly responsible for sunburns and may have a delayed effect with long-term exposure that may even cause skin cancer. The “C” in UVC stands for “Cataracts” Ultraviolet Cataracts (UVC) rays have the shortest wavelengths and highest energy levels of the three types of UV rays. This means that it can cause serious damage to all life forms. On the bright side, UVC radiation is all filtered-out by the ozone layer and these rays from the sun never reach the ground. However, man-made sources of these rays do pose damage ranging from severe burns of the skin to eye injuries. Hence, staring at the sun too long may give you cataracts or permanent blindness. Knowing these ABC’s, how can you protect yourself? Avoid long-term exposure to the sun! It’s nice to soak up vitamin D every once in a while, but too much may be too bad for you. Keep your skin protected by covering up with some light-clothing and pair it up with your favorite sunglasses and hat! Also, remember to soak up on Sunscreen with the right amount of sun protection factor (SPF). Here at MDSolarSciences, we stand behind our science-backed formulas that were developed by dermatologists and continue to be recommended by some of the top skincare experts in the country. Check out our blog Skincare Routines to know the best routine depending on your skin type!
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