Why You Shouldn’t Skip Applying SPF After Quarantine

With millions of Americans beginning to spend more of their time outdoors, we are all excited to get outside and enjoy the warm weather and all the fun it has to offer. However, many of us may be so excited to feel the sun on our skin again, we may be turning a blind eye to proper sun safety.

Here to explain why we should be keeping a quality SPF in our routine is Donaldson Plastic Surgery Lead Medical Aesthetician, Tatjana Dzamov. Tatjana’s extensive knowledge and background gained over a 25 year long career as a licensed aesthetician have made her one of the Columbus area’s most sought after aesthetic providers. Tatjana offers many different treatments guaranteed to keep your skin healthy and regulated during the changing seasons.

What’s at risk if we don’t wear an SPF?

Tatjana: Our skin is the largest organ that we have, and yet, the most neglected. The skin layer is a very thin membrane that separates us from our environment, and the damaging effects of UV exposure, all year long. Our skin is exposed to UV rays daily and the long-term effects are usually seen later in life. Sun damage is the most common skincare problem among men and women, with 80% of the photodamage happening before the age of 18. 

A Closer Look at the sun’s harmful rays

Tatjana: There are two types of UV rays: UVA and UVB.

The UVA rays are the rays that penetrate the deepest layers of our skin and this can lead to premature skin damage, aging, as well as skin cancer. UVA rays can penetrate through clouds, so wearing sun protection year-long is very important. UVB rays, on the other hand, cause sunburn to the superficial layers of the skin and play a key role in the development of skin cancer. 

With all this said, exposure to either kind of UV ray causes damage to the DNA of our skin cells, no matter if we burn or if we tan. It’s highly recommended that every person gets a yearly body skin check with your dermatologist and that you wear a Physical Sun Protection of at least SPF 30.

The benefits of a physical sunblock

Tatjana: A lot of people are unaware that there are two types of sunscreen: chemical and physical.

At Donaldson Plastic Surgery, we recommend a physical sunblock. Physical SPF sits on top of the skin and reflects the sun’s rays. The minerals titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are the main active ingredients in physical blocks. Chemical sunscreen, on the other hand, absorbs into the skin and allows harmful UV rays to enter the skin’s cells. The chemical sunscreen converts the rays into heat, and releases them from the body.

Our medspa carries three SPFs from the medical grade skin care lines that we often recommend. The Sheer Physical Sunblock from my line, Tatjana by Donaldson Plastic Surgery, is a great choice for all of our patients. The Intellishade TruPhysical SPF 45 from Revision Skin Care is a great tinted SPF that protects against free radicals, and the RAD Broad Spectrum SPF 30 from the Environ Skin Care line contains antioxidants to keep your skin healthy and balanced.

Regardless of which sunscreen you choose, it is important to make it part of your daily skincare routine. Regular application of sunscreen can reduce your chances of skin cancer while also prolonging the development of wrinkles and sun spots.

READY TO GET YOUR SUMMER GLOW? WE’RE OPEN TO HELP!

The Donaldson medspa will be opening again on June 1st, (abiding by all of our reopening safety protocols), and doing what we do best – helping smart, fun and beautiful people shine! For more information, call Donaldson Plastic Surgery at (614) 442-7610 and ask to schedule a Skincare Consultation with Lead Medical Aesthetician Tatjana.

Be sure to keep up with the Donaldson blog on our website at Donaldson Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Solutions to find out more ways to nourish and pamper your skin!