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HOW TO CHOOSE SUNSCREEN THAT PROTECTS SKIN FROM UV RAYS
Sunscreen is indispensable to protect skin from damaging effects caused by ultraviolet rays, particularly in Vietnam. This article shares our Doctor’s advice on how to select the right sunscreen for your skin.
Table of Contents
Consider the Sun Protection Factor (SPF)
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is a measure of how well a sunscreen will protect skin from UVB radiation, which causes melasma, sunburn, and contributes to skin cancer.
To best protect your skin under harsh weather in Vietnam, you should choose sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
Does a high SPF sunscreen protect your skin better?
Many people believe that a sunscreen with an SPF as high as 70 or 100 works best for everyone. Contrary to popular belief, high SPF products don’t give you a whole lot more protection. A sunscreen with an SPF of 30 protects your skin from 97% of the UVB rays. Meanwhile, a sunscreen with an SPF of 100 protects skin from 99% of UVB rays.
SPF sunscreens with greater SPF levels contain larger amounts of chemical ingredients, which is not always good for your skin. Therefore, you should select a sunscreen with an SPF appropriate for your situation.
If you work in an office and are not exposed to much sunlight, sunscreen with an SPF of 30 offers adequate protection.
If your job requires a lot of exposure to the sun or you enjoy outdoor activities, you should choose sunscreen with a higher SPF such as SPF 50.
Choose the Broad-spectrum Sunscreen with PA (Protection Grade of UVA)
SPF simply indicates how well a sunscreen protects you from UVB radiation only. Broad-spectrum or PA (Protection Grade of UVA) indicates sunscreen’s ability to protect skin against both UVA radiation that causes skin aging and contributes to skin cancer and UVB radiation.
Dermatologists recommend using broad-spectrum sunscreens that offer protection against both UVA and UVB rays. FDA, The United States Food and Drug Administration, established rules on this in 2012. You should not use sunscreen if the word “Broad-Spectrum” is not mentioned on the container.
Depending on your occupation and level of sun exposure, you can select a sunscreen with a moderate sun protection spectrum for your skin.
Types of Sunscreens
There are two main types of sunscreens: Physical sunscreens and Chemical sunscreens.
Physical Sunscreens
Physical sunscreens contain two active ingredients, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which form a physical barrier on the skin’s surface that assists in blocking, scattering, and reflecting UV radiation.
Physical sunscreens can protect skin against both UVA and UVB rays, but they cannot filter all radiation.
Because physical sunscreens can be greasy and melt off, Doctors often advise you to reapply it numerous times every day.
After applying physical sunscreens, you can go out without waiting for 20 minutes.
Chemical Sunscreen
Chemical sunscreens absorb UVA and UVB rays before they can damage your skin.
When exposed to sunlight, some chemical sunscreens can degrade. As a result, the qualities of these sunscreens can be unstable, and the effects may not always be as intended.
Several compounds are used to boost the stability of sunscreens. Octocrylene and Bemotrizinol, for example, are frequently coupled with chemical absorbents to improve the stability and efficiency of sunscreen.
Chemical sunscreens should be applied 20-30 minutes before going outside and reapplied every 2-3 hours. The vast majority of sunscreens sold are chemical sunscreens.
Sunscreen’s Water-resistant Ability
There are three levels of water-resistant sunscreen: No Water Resistance, Water Resistance 40 minutes, Water Resistance 80 minutes. There are numerous tests on the water resistance of sunscreens.
If you swim, remember to use water-resistant sunscreens and reapply when you finish.
You should reapply sunscreen every two hours to maintain the SPF level of the sunscreen. The proper amount of sunscreen for a full adult body is 1oz (30 grams).
The Factor That Determines the Quality of A Sunscreen
Grace Skincare Clinic’s Dermatologists recommend that you should select the best sunscreen for your skin by thoroughly examining the ingredients.
You can buy sunscreen products from well-known brands as long as the ingredients are safe for your skin.
Should I Use Spray Sunscreens?
Many people prefer to spray sunscreens because of their convenience. However, spay sunscreens have several drawbacks.
Firstly, they may irritate your lungs if inhaled. You should choose brands who provide evidence that the ingredients used in their products are safe if inhaled.
Secondly, a recent study shows that some people apply only 25% of the recommended amount of sunscreen. They are unaware that they do not have adequate UVB and UVA protection when using spray sunscreens only.
How to Prevent Skin Cancer?
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the world.The entire number of skin cancer cases exceeds the total number of cases of all other malignancies combined (Stern, 2010).
The good news, however, is that skin cancer is preventable.
Besides using a safe sunscreen, you should also layer your sunscreen by adding extra pieces that shield your skin from the sun’s rays such as masks, long-sleeved shirts, skirts, sunglasses, umbrellas, or wide-brimmed hats when going out.
You should also restrict direct sun exposure between 8AM to 4PM, when UVA and UVB are most active. Even when it’s cloudy, there are still a lot of UV rays.
Important Things to Look out for When Choosing a Sunscreen
You should carefully examine the SPF labels as well as the contents of physical and chemical sunscreens.
Weigh the advantages and downsides of physical and chemical sunscreen to verify the effectiveness and safety of each. This helps you to pick the best sunscreen for your skin and avoid irritation.
If you’re overwhelmed by numerous sunscreens available on the market or don’t know how to choose an effective sunscreen, consult with our Dermatologists at Grace Skincare Clinic to find the best sunscreen for your skin.
Reviewed by Dr. Hun Kim Thao
Grace Skincare Clinic
An international cosmetic dermatology clinic in Vietnam using FDA and CE-approved medical devices and treatments.
Mayfair Suites, 102ABC Cong Quynh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
Book your appointment: https://www.graceskinclinic.com/book-now
Tel: 0822-531-223
Hotline: 0961-796-809
Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/best-sunscreen/art-20045110
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0-09-2019 "I would love to thank Dr. Hun Kim Thao and her amazing staffs for helping me through a skin improving journey over an almost year while I was staying in HCM. I received acne facial and peel every other week and the service was superb! Each procedure was well explained and Dr.Thao was very attentive. I loved her holistic way of approach to improve patient's skin. Not only she prescribed very effective acne gel but also shared great tips such as reducing the amount of simple carb intake, cutting down sugar, and most importantly highlighting the importance of getting enough sleep. She even recommended a well known doctor in town who could help me with my sleeping problem. In addition, the price was very reasonable and I was very happy with all the service I got from Grace Skin Clinic. Oh Dr. Thao even asked her staff to make me a cup of tea one day as she she thought I looked overly exhausted. I was very moved. How warm hearted she is! I will definitely recommend this place to anyone who wants to check up their skin and improve their skin. Amazing place!"
This place is amazing; they help me improve my terrible skin condition which had affected my identity, and my confidence for many years. I have been visiting Grace Clinic during summer time for the past two years, and every time I am here, they create a different program in order to fit my skin condition and my limited time. Furthermore, people from Grace Clinic always greet me with warm hearts. They once invited me to have boba tea with them which made me no longer feel like a customer but a friend which it has created a friendship overtime. I cannot stress how highly I would recommend this place. Again, they are amazing and very professional. There is one thing, you can do walk-in just fine but it would be better if you schedule the appointment so they can prepare and create the best service for you.
I absolutely love the ladies of Grace Skincare. I was staying in Saigon for 6 months and came here with acne and a congested skin from my travels. So happy I found them! Their prices are reasonable compared to other “expat” clinic that I went to. I bought the 10 facial package for a really good price and am really happy with the result of my skin after following all of their consultations. Acne has cleared up and now we’re focusing on my other skin concerns such as dark spots and hyperpigmentation. I highly recommend this clinic. They truly want you to walk out with skin you feel confident in. I’m going to miss this place and the ladies I got to connect with during my time here. Amazing results · Expert facials · Great deals · Professional products ·Licensed skin care professional · Experienced skin care professionals
Hey guys it’s been 3 weeks since we came for our treatment. I can honestly say it’s the best I have had done. Andrew and I look fresh without being overdone. We both had people say how refreshed we look after our holiday. Honestly they wouldn’t be saying that if they knew how much beer and yummy Vietnamese food we consumed when we were there. I can honestly say Andrew and I will be back. And I am telling all my friends how fantastic you guys are and how professional the consultation was. I have yet to find someone in Australia who is so thorough. Thank you, Kylie
I had a acne treatment here last month and now it's improved a lot. I must say that this place is very professional, modern equipment, especially the thoughtful doctor! I'm impressed!
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The owners are wonderful people. I had a good experience and can sincerely and highly recommend everything about Grace Skincare Clinic!
I was so embarrassed with the scars and pigmentation marks on my face. These are from old sports injuries and harsh products on my legs from childhood accidents. I am fed up with using so much concealer makeup on my face and am never able to wear a skirt with confidence. I heard about the Grace Skincare Clinic pigmentation lightening treatment from a friend. I took 6 treatments & used skincare product as Dr. Thao instructed and now my skin is beautiful and permanently clear. It was worth every penny.
as Tet is coming, I highly recommend this place for a weekend retreat, skin detoxing or even an urgent package to soothe and smooth your skin. I got back my healthy skin after just 02 week following the instruction of Dr Thao Hun and it cost me 200,000 for medical consultation fee only. Wonderful!