Sun Damage and Sunscreens

Although sunlight is essential for human life, daily exposure to the sun over a lifetime is a major cause of skin damage including wrinkling, pigmentation and skin cancer. Many of the skin changes attributed to aging are in fact signs of sun-induced skin damage.

How they work

Sunscreens work by scattering, absorbing or reflecting the sun’s ultra violet (UV) rays. Sunlight exposes people to two kinds of ultraviolet light: UVA and UVB.

Ultra Violet B Radiation (UVB) the Burning Rays: short wave rays that produce sunburn; they are considered the main cause of skin cancer.

Ultra Violet A Radiation (UVA) the Aging Rays: Long wave rays that penetrate the skin more deeply than UVB, they add to UVB’s damaging effects, promoting skin cancers, wrinkling, and premature aging.

Even brief exposures to UVA and UVB may damage the skin. The harmful effects may not become visible for many years, but the damage adds up over your lifetime.

The best defense right now and for your family future, is to limit time in the sun and protect yourself whenever you go outdoors.

SPF Protection

SPF sunscreen numbers only indicate the amount of time one can stay in the sun without burning. The application of an SPF15 sunscreen should provide protection about 15 times longer than no sunscreen at all.

Clients should be made aware that SPF protection does not increase proportionally with a designated SPF number. SPF30 for example, absorbs 97% of sun burning rays, while an SPF 15 indicates 93% absorption.

Using Sunscreen

Put sunscreen on clean, dry skin, thickly and evenly before wearing clothes. Do not rub the sunscreen in; wipe it on with gentle strokes. Apply generously and allow drying for 10-15 minutes before you go out in the sun. Re-apply frequently to replace what rubs or sweats off.

Skin damage does not occur only on the beach or the ski slopes. Most people who are going to be out in the sun for more than 10 minutes would benefit from daily use of sunscreen on the parts of the body exposed to the sun. Even Casual exposure to sunlight, while driving the car, walking to the store or taking an outdoor lunch break all contribute to the cumulative lifetime exposure that may lead to skin damage.

Broad Spectrum Sunscreen

Any tan indicates sun damage. Although a tan may give you some protection against sun burning, it will not fully protect you against wrinkling or skin cancer. Some people are especially vulnerable to the effects of the sun, such as fair-skinned individuals who burn easily and tan poorly or not at all. Of those who do tan well, the deeper the color of the tan, the more extensive the skin damage. For this reason using a broad spectrum sunscreen will give you extra protection because it screens out most of the UVA rays as well as UVB.

Please see these Intaglio products:

Sun Care Guidelines

  • Minimize sun exposure – during the hours of 10am – 4pm when the sun is strongest.
  • Cover up with clothing, wear a wide brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
  • Apply sunscreen before every exposure to the sun, and reapply frequently and liberally at least every two hours or as long as you are exposed to the sun. Use a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher. Don’t forget to apply to the lips and ears.
  • Beware of reflective surfaces – sand, snow and water can reflect more than half of the sun’s rays onto your skin. Sitting in the shade does not guarantee protection from sunburn.
  • Keep young infants out of the sun – begin using sunscreens on children at six months of age, and then allow sun exposure with moderation.
  • Teach children sun protection early – sun damage occurs with each unprotected sun exposure and accumulates over the course of a lifetime.
  • Stay away from tanning booths – The UV light emitted by tanning booths causes sunburn and premature aging and increases your risk of developing skin cancer.
  • Examine skin regularly , if you spot anything suspicious see a doctor.

Intaglio Sunscreens

Intaglio offers a variety of sunscreens to target the individual’s personal skin care needs. Our Protective Sunscreen Collection are FDA registered sunscreen drug products for over-the-counter use.  Taking into consideration dry, oily, combination, sensitive our exclusive line meets the needs of each individual looking for a Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 15 and 30 to provide maximum skin protection from burning and premature aging.

We have taken our Protective Sunscreen Collection a step further and added a 10% glycolic concentrate with SPF 15 to allow our clients maximum skin resurfacing whiles offer UV protection, ideal for those clients on a Glycolic Skin Therapy Program: