Sunscreen Is Our Friend: The Importance Of Daily Sunscreen Use

A friend asked me the other day, why is sunscreen so important?

With the upcoming long hot summer El Nino is expected to deliver (wahoo!), it got me thinking. Why do we bang on about sunscreen? It must seem like sunscreen companies are sponsoring us to (they aren't).

It all comes down to science. When the sun stuns us with her rays, she emits Ultraviolet Radiation (UV). There are different types of UV, the main ones that affect us are UVA and UVB. The energy they carry penetrates our skin and cooks us in a similar way to how a microwave heats up our dinner.

Limited amounts of cooking (up to 15 minutes or so) are good for our tissues as it stimulates beneficial pathways in our body such as the production of Vitamin D, good for anti-ageing, bone and immune system maintenance.

Too much of a good thing causes changes in our skin including altered pigmentation (spots), damaged collagen and dysfunctional deposits of elastin leading to wrinkles. Pigmented lesions/spots can also be triggered to mutate, leading to formation of cancer cells and the dreaded Melanoma.

Sunscreen protects us from this radiation, broad spectrum the preferred choice to combat UVA (penetrates deeper and through glass, causing us to tan) and UVB (penetrates less deep and causes us to burn). Using this every day (even in Winter and when its cloudy) helps prevent and treat these changes.

Like the necessity of wearing clothes, sunscreen should be part of the wardrobe. To be worn every day, except when the curtains are drawn and one is hiding inside.

Quick Answers:

Why is sunscreen important for your skin?

Sunscreen protects your skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which damages collagen, alters pigmentation, accelerates ageing, and increases the risk of skin cancer.

What damage does the sun cause to skin over time?

Too much UV exposure can cause pigmentation spots, wrinkles, collagen breakdown, elastin damage, and mutations that can lead to melanoma.

What is the difference between UVA and UVB rays?

UVA penetrates deeper into the skin, contributes to ageing and tanning, and passes through glass, while UVB causes surface damage and sunburn.

Should I wear sunscreen every day, even in winter or when it’s cloudy?

Yes. UV radiation is present year-round, even on cloudy days and in winter, so daily sunscreen use helps prevent long-term skin damage.

How should sunscreen fit into a daily routine?

Sunscreen should be part of your everyday routine, like clothing, and applied daily whenever your skin is exposed to daylight.

If you have a question for Dr. Heather you would like answered anonymously, please email askdrheather@allor.co.nz.