Sun Savvy Women: Taking Control of Skin Health and Ageing
April 5, 2025 – Sulphur Springs, Texas – Ladies, the sun is officially out for spring and will only heat up
more during summer. Make sure your skin is ready to take the heat with these sun exposure tips from the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation.
Sun exposure is the biggest threat to skin health. Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, otherwise known as UV, is the primary cause of skin cancer and is responsible for almost 90% of skin aging.
About 95% of solar radiation is UVA, which damages elastin and collagen deep within the skin layers, making skin thinner, weaker, and more prone to dark spots and wrinkles.
UVA is the most common UV used in tanning beds. Women have approximately 20% thinner skin than men, meaning there is less elastin and collagen to lose. Women’s bodies also naturally start to lose elastin and collagen at more dramatic rates after menopause, pronouncing the signs of aging more rapidly.
UVB, the other type of harmful UV, burns and blisters the top layers of skin, directly causing mutations to DNA in skin cells. Think of the “A” in UVA to mean ageing, and the “B’ in UVB to mean burning. Both UVA and UVB cause skin cancer.
Although most UV rays are UVA, regular sunscreens only protect from UVB because it is the type that visibly burns the skin. Broad spectrum sunscreen is preferable as it protects from both UVA and UVB. For babies or those with sensitive skin, sunscreens with the active ingredients of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are gentlest.
Mineral and chemical sunscreens are two categories of sunscreens to choose from. Mineral sunscreens are effective immediately, coating the surface of the skin and reflecting UV off. They are more sensitive on skin and are generally reef safe for ocean swimming.
Chemical sunscreens take roughly 20 minutes to activate, but they allow the absorption of UV rays and deactivate them within the skin cells. This reaction converts UV into heat that is then released from the body. Both mineral and chemical sunscreens have pros and cons, so it is best for individuals to read up and decide which will work for them. UV rays can pass through clouds and glass, so it is important to wear sunscreen even on overcast days or for car rides. Daily wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a SPF of at least 30 is recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology to prevent skin cancer. Choose a water-resistant sunscreen for swim days and reapply every 2 to 3 hours for full protection.
Reapplying can sound daunting when a full face of makeup is at risk of being ruined by pasty white sunscreen, but there are products and methods that can save face in more ways than one. Sunscreen sticks, spray sunscreens, and even mineral powder sunscreens apply well over makeup to freshen up skin protection every few hours.
The SPF in makeup is not enough on its own to protect the skin. While foundations may include SPF, the amount is too small of a percentage of the total mixture to provide true protection on its own.
Wondering how much is enough? For the face, a nickel size amount of sunscreen or the amount that fits on two fingers tips should cover it. For the rest of the body, roughly 6 to 8 teaspoons or a one ounce shot glass full of sunscreen provides adequate coverage.
SPF does not add up if layered. For example, if foundation has a SPF of 20 and a sunscreen powder is layered on top with a SPF of 30, the skin is protected at a rating of 30 SPF, not a cumulative 50.
While layering different forms of SPF does not increase the overall SPF, it does help to cover any missed spots. If the base SPF didn’t cover one area of skin, perhaps the powder will. Think of layering and reapplying as gap insurance against skin cancer.
1 in 5 Americans develop skin cancer during their lifetime, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be prevented. While skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, it is also the most preventable. By committing to protect and monitor the skin, skin stays stronger, healthier, and more youthful.
