So today I was at the park with the kids at a picnic and another mom told me that this sunscreen thing is a hype…she said look at all th epeople back in Asia and Africa who get more harsher sun than we do but they never wear sunscreen and do fine.
I understand that the lighter the skin the more chances of sun damage, but tell me, is it really necessary for healthy skin?
What does sunscreen really do?
So today I was at the park with the kids at a picnic and another mom told me that this sunscreen thing is a hype...she said look at all th epeople back in Asia and Africa who get more harsher sun than we do but they never wear sunscreen and do fine.
I understand that the lighter the skin the more chances of sun damage, but tell me, is it really necessary for healthy skin?
What does sunscreen really do?
It's important, Nik. And that's what my dermatologist tells me as well. Darker skin...especially African Skin contains more melanin......which provides greater natural protection from the sun. And my derm told me that even those with darker skin can age badly if they don't wear protect their skin from the sun.
As far as the girls in Asia are concerned........keep in mind that girls in Pak will do anything to become "fair" or stay "fair." They will not only slather and smear their faces with creams which flaunt lofty names and promise fairer skin but fail to deliver..................they will even avoid going out in the sun. Summers are scorching hot in Pak.......but my aunts and female cousins who live there don't go out much during the day.......unless they have to.....they don't shop much either. They may get more harsher sun in Pak than we do in the US......BUT.....at the same time.....they may not go out in the sun as much either. They don't want to risk becoming darker. And also.....many women in Pak don't work. They spend their time mostly at home. They might go shopping once in a while.......and the men usually run many of the outdoor errands. Their lifestyle is different from the US.....where women tend to go out more often.
I remember seeing on tv these machines that allowed dermatologists to scan the layers of sun damage deep down in your skin.....that will emerge on the skin's surface in the future. It's was freaky and neat at the same time. And those who spent the most time in the sun without sun block had the most sun damage below the skin that would come up later on.
It's kind of like eating junk food and thinking that "Hey I feel fine. I look fine. Nothing bad is happening to me."..........and then years later your teeth are in horrible shape and your arteries are clogged.
It's better to be safe than to be sorry. Why take the chance? People dry their wet clothes in the sun. If the sun can dry your wet laundry....and if the sun can scorch a leaf.....imagine what it could be doing to your skin.
Of course genetics, diet, hydration, exercise, and sleep also play a role in the quality of one's skin. But the number one natural enemy of the skin is the sun. I remember my derm telling me that the skin of people in colder states ages faster because they seem to think that..."it's cold...it's cloudy....don't need sunblock"..........and surprisingly people living in the warmer states age better because there's a greater awareness and usage of sunblock. The truth is that about 80% of sun's rays still pass through even on cloudy days.
The sun can darken your skin....sometimes in patches (hyperpigmentation).....it can cause wrinkles.........age spots........and it destroys the collagen in your skin causing it to potentially sag.
So......unless NEW and STRONG research comes out stating that sunblock is not necessary and is only a hype.............don't rely on your own observations. Better to be safe than sorry.
So today I was at the park with the kids at a picnic and another mom told me that this sunscreen thing is a hype...she said look at all th epeople back in Asia and Africa who get more harsher sun than we do but they never wear sunscreen and do fine.
I understand that the lighter the skin the more chances of sun damage, but tell me, is it really necessary for healthy skin?
What does sunscreen really do?
i hav alway always believed sun screen to be overrated. i hav used every craem under the sun .. infact sun screens hav caused more damage .
any ordinary well absorbing non graesy moisturiser wud do the trick.
all these dermatologists hav created the hype regarding sun screens.
and y not .. they get big bucks frm the cosmetic and pharmaceutical giants, family viccations, visits to spas, complementary samples of al kinds etc.
Re: Sunscreen: a hype??
^ maybe u were allergic to the sunscreen u used?
Re: Sunscreen: a hype??
I've never used it.. not really needed it. Its rare for the sun to show its face around here.. we just need umbrellas :@:
I've never used it.. not really needed it. Its rare for the sun to show its face around here.. we just need umbrellas :@:
About 80% of sun's rays still pass through even on cloudy days.
About 80% of sun's rays still pass through even on cloudy days.
runs off to get sunscreen
Re: Sunscreen: a hype??
also it is necessary to use a PHYSICAL not chemical sunscreen. ELTA md is great.
Re: Sunscreen: a hype??
Sunscreens that contain either zinc or titanium dioxide are very effective in blocking out sun's rays. But you have to experiment with them because some sunscreens can irritate your skin or make you look pasty/chalky. There are other ingredients equivalent to zinc and titanium.
Re: Sunscreen: a hype??
For people who think sunscreen is not necessary, trst me it is.
Just cause you can’t see the damage, does not mean it isn’t there. If you go to a derm and use the skin analyser machine, you’ll see what truly lies under your superficial skin layer.
If i don’t wear it everyday, i break out in freckles everywhere, and i don’t think they’re cute 
Wear your sun screen girls!
Re: Sunscreen: a hype??
Well we people with darker skin need less as compared to say the caucasians...so what kind of SPF should we be wearing?
Re: Sunscreen: a hype??
A minimum of spf15 daily, for sure. Spf15 is *usually *in most moisturisers anyway (should say it on the label), but for stronger sun, like if you're in arizona or the australian outback, i would definitely go for sunblock (spf60+) , rather than sun screen.
And put it on your daughters too, to keep them safe from sun damage whilst playing outside :@:
Re: Sunscreen: a hype??
but the min 15 in moisturizers is not enough to prevent skin damage/etc. you MUST WEAR a PHYSICAL sunscreen.
Re: Sunscreen: a hype??
Sunscreen has never worked for me. I reside in Pakistan and have wheatish complexion. My skin is very oily and tends to tan easily when i step out in the sun. I've tried sunscreens from well known brands but nothing worked. They'd just melt off my skin turning all weird and yellow. I've had it with sunscreens for good.
So today I was at the park with the kids at a picnic and another mom told me that this sunscreen thing is a hype...she said look at all th epeople back in Asia and Africa who get more harsher sun than we do but they never wear sunscreen and do fine.
I understand that the lighter the skin the more chances of sun damage, but tell me, is it really necessary for healthy skin?
What does sunscreen really do?
Niks, sun's rays are very damaging to the skin, no matter what shade your skin is. African americans, indians, hispanics.. all get skin cancer.
Granted the sun damage (discoloration, age spots, wrinkles) does not show up as well on darker skin as fair skin, but if looked through a skin scan, you can see, the damage underneath the skin is same as of a fair skinned person, it just doesnt show up that well....fair skin shows signs earlier, and stronger. Never skip sunscreen! Even if its cloudy.. There is no such day as a 'sunless' day!
Re: Sunscreen: a hype??
what' if it's raining :(
Re: Sunscreen: a hype??
what if ur sat at home all day??
Re: Sunscreen: a hype??
Sara - You can get waterproof sunscreen.
LL - Don't spend you day cooped up indoors... the sun, whilst it does emit uv rays, also plays an important part in the body's ability to produce vitamin D.
Re: Sunscreen: a hype??
I wear SPF 40 minimum...it is important and my skin can attest to that. My face was like a war zone for the longest time before I discovered sunscreen...now I dont go anywhere without it.
Clinique makes a physical sunscreen that is very slightly tinted so it doesnt look so cakey on desi people.
