Did you know that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70? Or that the sun’s rays can prematurely age your skin, causing wrinkles and sun spots? If we told you that melanoma was one of the most common cancers amongst young adults, wouldn’t that make you want to protect your skin? SPF can help protect your skin against harmful UV rays and radiation from the sun. So next time you’re ready to walk out the door, ask yourself: Got SPF?

Sunscreen has become more than just a beach bag staple, but a daily necessity. While this National Geographic article says that much progress has been made over the last 30 years in protecting Earth’s ozone layer (the atmospheric shield which guards against UV rays), lingering indirect sunlight without SPF leaves you vulnerable to skin radiation — in other words, a sunburn. While they may be painful in the moment, too many harsh burns could result in bigger problems long after they fade, including cancer.

Many people think that sunscreen is always thick, sticky, and smells weird, but because necessity is the mother of invention, beauty companies have found ways to engineer SPF into trendy, usable products.

Traditional sunscreen has gotten a makeover. Brands like Revision Skincare, Obagi, SkinMedica and Elta have brought fresh options to the table, offering everything from mineral-based formulas, to powder SPF, to tinted SPF moisturizers. Beauty brands have discreetly inserted SPF into their skincare and cosmetic products, like Colorescience Sunforgetable Brush. At Dermatology Center of Acadiana, we’re excited to offer a number of additional, and effective, options in SPF that our clients have already been raving about – including Elta Clear, Elta Clear Tinted, Elta Physical Tinted, Elta Lotion for full body, Revision Intellishade, Revision Multi-Protection, Skin Medica Total Defense and Repair and Obagi Sun Shield Matte.

Whether you apply sunblock every morning or haven’t touched a tube in years, an essential part of skincare is having your skin regularly checked for any abnormalities. Catching a problem early greatly increases your chances of treating it successfully. So lather up, put on some shades and make an appointment at Dermatology Center of Acadiana. We’ll help you create a customized skin care plan and find products that work for you.