SUNSCREEN 101
FASHION EDITOR
SANSHAI
JIRAT SUBPISANKUL
PHOTOGRAPHER
AEKARAT UBONSRI
STORY
PILAN SRIVEERAKUL
What men should know about sunscreen
If you think sunscreen is just for playing outdoor sports, being on the beach and the summer season, you might find yourself with damaged skin before you know it.
Sunscreen is something you should wear 365 days a year, because UV rays can damage your skin each and every day, even when it’s cloudy and gloomy outside. You can live a healthy lifestyle, eat healthy food, go to bed early, exercise regularly, steer clear of alcohol and cigarettes, and put on moisturiser, but if you skip sunscreen, all the good deeds you’ve done for yourself won’t show on your skin. Research has proven that 90% of premature skin problems are caused by UV rays. If you want healthy and youthful skin, wear sunscreen every day, even when you’re staying home. UV rays can penetrate through windows and damage your skin. You can skip anything else in your skincare routine, but not your sunscreen.
Here’s a simple rule. Think of your sunscreen as the last step of your morning skincare ritual. Don’t think of it as sunscreen, because your brain is tricked into thinking that you don’t need sunscreen if you’re not going to be in the sun. If you look at it as something that protects the skin, you are more inclined to include it into your morning ritual.
UVA & UVB
Harmful rays that damage the skin are UVA and UVB rays. UVA causes wrinkles, while UVB causes dark spots, blemishes, sunburn and skin cancer. A good sunscreen should protect your skin from both. Look at the label and look for PA (Protection Grade of UVA). Most sunscreens have PA levels from PA+ to PA++++. For UVB protection, look for SPF (Sun Protection Factor). An easy rule for SPF is that if your skin usually begins to burn after you’re in the sun for 20 minutes, with an SPF 15 sunscreen, you can prolong it to 15 x 20 = 300 minutes, or about five hours. If that’s still confusing, or if you don’t know how long it takes for your skin to start burning, here’s an even easier rule. If you are mostly indoor, go with SPF 15/PA+. If you’re out in the sun, choose a sweat proof SPF 30/PA+++ sunscreen and reapply every 1-2 hours. If you’re going to the beach, grab a waterproof SPF 30 (or more)/PA++++ sunscreen and reapply every 90 minutes.
Today, sunscreen technology has advanced so much
that you can choose the texture to suit your skin condition and lifestyle
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT SUNSCREEN
There are so many reasons why most men don’t like wearing sunscreen. It feels oily and sticky, for one. This could be because they’ve mostly experienced sporty sunscreen. Today, sunscreen technology has advanced so much that you can choose the texture to suit your skin condition and lifestyle. Clear lotion sunscreen is good for oily skin. Milky sunscreen is suitable for normal or slightly oily skin. Cream sunscreen is for dry skin. Sunscreen in a stick is great for areas are which directly exposed to sunlight such as nose and cheekbones, and is good for athletes or those who’re out in the sun for a long time.
APPLY IT RIGHT
Now that you know the basics about sunscreen, how you apply it is also important. If you don’t apply enough, the effectiveness is low, and it might not be able to do the job expected of its SPF or PA level. A good guideline is to apply 2ml for a sq cm of skin. Use approximately a dollop the size of a 10-baht coin for your face and neck. If applying your sunscreen near your eyes does not cause irritation or allergic reactions, you can do so. Your eyelids, however, don’t need sunscreen. These are some easy tips on how to make the most of your sunscreen and keep your skin healthy and youthful.
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