The Importance of Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen
Some of you may remember a photo that became widely circulated in 2012, following the publication of an article in The New England Journal of Medicine. The photo shows the face of Bill McElligott, a 69-year-old truck driver who, during the course of his many years on the road, had developed an unusual case of sun damage, which in turn caused the formation of hyperkeratosis. This resulted in one half of his face (the half that spent nearly three decades adjacent to his driver’s side window) appearing decades older than the other.
The cause of this extreme case of photo damage was UVA radiation from the sun. Understanding the difference between UVA and UVB (and how both interact with our skin) can not only save your complexion, but also your life.
The Difference Between UVA and UVB Rays
Skincancer.org (which is an incredible foundation dedicated to saving and improving lives through educating the public on the importance of skin cancer screenings) has published a thorough breakdown of the differences between UVA and UVB rays in relation to skin health.
While most of us are all too familiar with the effects caused by UVB rays (sun burns, blistering, redness, stinging, discomfort), we may be less likely to safeguard ourselves against the harm caused by their close relatives: UVA rays.
When our skin is exposed to UVB radiation for prolonged periods (sometimes as short as a few minutes, depending on how fair our skin is) it becomes damaged. This damage, which is felt in the outermost layers of the skin, can cause extreme pain. When we put on sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30 or higher, cover our bodies with hats and shirts, or retreat behind the cover of our living room windows or the windshields of our cars, our bodies are easily and instantly protected from UVB. No sun, no burn.
UVA radiation, on the other hand, is much more difficult to protect against. Since UVA does not contribute to nearly as much superficial burning as UVB, most people don’t even know it’s there. However, UVA rays (as we’ve seen in the photo of Bill McElligott) not only penetrate easily through many sunscreens, glass, cloud cover, and most clothing, they also damage the skin at a cellular lever. This makes them much more harmful than UVB, as the exposure to UVA results in premature aging, unhealthy and unsightly skin, and the formation of life-threatening skin cancers.
The Importance of a Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen
To protect our skin from the harm caused by both UVA and UVB radiation, it is essential that we use a daily sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher that is rated as broad-spectrum.
Until fairly recently, scientists didn’t fully understand the dangers of UVA radiation from the sun. As a result, most sunscreens didn’t (and still don’t) protect against it. With the advent of broad-spectrum coverage, our skin is much better protected from all associated risks of prolonged sun exposure.
All of our BensiSkin sunscreens are SPF 40 broad-spectrum products that contain no chemical sunscreen components. Instead, these sunscreens are 100% mineral-based (which also makes them reef-safe) to offer physical protection against UV rays, as well as delivering a cocktail of topical antioxidants to protect the skin from environmental stress and improve signs of aging. The addition of iron oxides in these sunscreens give them a natural tint that mimics the complexion of the skin.
It’s important to wear sunscreen every day, no matter the occasion or the weather. Purchase one of our BensiSkin sunscreens and keep your skin healthy, safe, and beautiful.