Study proves wearing sunscreen on a daily basis helps your skin stay younger looking
“Wear sunscreen!”
This is a phrase we are all familiar with and we all know is good advice. Protecting our skin from the harmful effects of the sun is something we understand we need to do when we go to the beach or plan to spend the day in the sun.
And mostly, we diligently slather ourselves and our children with sunscreen on such occasions. We know the sun can be dangerous and can cause skin cancer, so we willingly soak up sunscreen beforehand, and if we’re really diligent, we will apply it again after a few hours.
But, what if applying sunscreen every single day made us look younger?
Now that sort of claim is worth some attention. Trying to look younger—by whatever means individually affordable—is a high priority for both men and women. In America alone, we spend millions of dollars on over-the-counter beauty products of which much is on anti-aging products, not to mention the millions spent on surgery procedures that offer instant results.
Dermatologists have long urged their patients to apply more sunscreen, suggesting it not only protects against skin cancer, but aging as well. Now there’s evidence to prove it.
In a new study, Australian researchers report that people who apply sunscreen everyday show 24% less skin aging compared to participants who only used sunscreen part of the time. The study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, observed 900 people under 55 and discovered those who regularly use sunscreen were less likely to have increased skin aging after 4.5 years — even those in middle age.
The study showed that even those who had a good amount of sun damage had an improvement in the aging of the skin. As many doctors having been saying for years and years, use SPF every day all year round not just during the warmer months.
The study comes out just in time for summer and coincides with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) new sunscreen regulations. Last month, the FDA mandated immediate labeling changes. After major manufacturers balked at the short amount of time given, the FDA extended the mandate for six months.
All sunscreens are now required to distinguish between which brands and products can be labeled “broad spectrum,” meaning they protect against both ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B rays. The new guidelines also mandate that products include directions to reapply regularly and prohibit brands from claiming on their labels that their sunscreens are sweatproof or waterproof.
The new regulations were highly anticipated and arguably long overdue. The European Commission started requiring these label changes in 2007. It’s a major move in the right direction for American skin protection, since skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S.
For now, don’t worry about sunscreen claims made on their labels—those changes will eventually be made. Do, however, make sure you have sunscreen available and apply it every day. Wearing sunscreen daily is an inexpensive tool for you to stay younger looking!
Feel free to contact us with any questions, or schedule an appointment at All About Women in Gainesville or Lake City today.
