Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/975060
22 WAC Magazine | wac.net Save your summer skin Stop aging and burning with the right sun protection By Dr. Tressa Pinkleton, WAC Naturopath With summer just around the corner, it's time to start thinking about sun protection for the largest organ of our body—our skin! ere are many types of sun protections on the market. Physical sunblock, chemical sunscreen, natural oils, antioxi- dants … the list gets exhaustive. On top of that, different sun protection options protect against different ultraviolet (UV) rays. With all of this information to balance, it's easy to see why so many of us can get confused, and why I'm oen asked for advice about sunscreen toward the beginning of summer. First, let's understand what, exactly, we're aiming to protect our skin from. Our sun, in all its warm glory, emits many different waves of light. e two ultraviolet rays that hit our planet are UVA and UVB rays, and these are the rays that stand to damage our skin. Here's a quick primer: • UVA rays are longer in length and tend to cause prema- ture aging since they reach below the surface of our skin. • UVB rays are shorter and tend to cause burning since they only reach superficial layers of our skin. ey also play a key role in the development of certain kinds of skin cancer. living fit sun protection Physical sunblock These tend to contain mixtures of organic (carbon- based) and non-organic (mineral-based) components that literally block the sun's UV rays from hitting your skin. Physical sunblock protects your skin from UVA and UVB rays and starts working as soon as you put it on. It also tends to wear off and wash off quickly. WAC aesthetician Constance Dorgan can help you navigate the world of sunscreen and sunblock. Visit her at the Spa at the WAC on the 4th Floor. Chemical sunscreen These contain organic compounds that penetrate your skin and absorb UV rays. They can also offer broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection, but not as completely as physical sunblock. A big disadvantage: You need to wait about 20 minutes for them to fully absorb into your skin and take effect. Also, they can worsen certain skin conditions, such as rosacea or brown spots. An easy way to remember the difference between the two is to think "A for aging" and "B for burning." So what are your options when it comes to sun protection? Well, just like light, there's a spectrum. As you compare the differences, remem- ber that blocking UVB rays also blocks your body's ability to synthesize vitamin D. So if you're slathering up daily during summer, keep up your D supplementation. —Reach Dr. Tressa Pinkleton through the 4th Floor WAC Wellness Center or by emailing wellness@wac.net. Get more tips on sun protection: wac.net/sun-smart Sunblock Skin Surface Sunscreen Skin Surface