Applying sunscreen might be part of your skin care when it's bright outside. Doing so protects the tissue from UV rays, which are strongest during sunny weather. However, UVA and UVB radiation are damaging no matter the climate, as clouds don't block them on overcast days. Here are ways to keep your skin healthy by wearing sunblock on your face daily.

Why Add Sunscreen to Your Daily Skin Care Routine?

1. Maintain a Youthful Appearance

Spending time outside without skin protection contributes to premature aging. That's because the UV rays absorbed by the skin trigger free radicals to form. These unstable molecules can deteriorate collagen and weaken the elastin fibers in skin tissue, which causes the development of fine lines and wrinkles. Wearing sunscreen stops the formation of free radicals, so your skin won't develop wrinkles too early.

2. Reduce Skin Cancer Risk

When you wear sunscreen, UV radiation can't damage your cells' DNA. UVB rays are unable to penetrate the top of the skin, and UVA rays can't be absorbed by the deepest layers.

Cells damaged by UV rays divide and grow uncontrollably, which can cause skin cancer to form. Applying SPF 15 sunscreen as part of your daily skin care routine reduces the odds of developing melanoma by 50 percent. 

3. Stop Hyperpigmentation 

Exposure to sunlight causes the skin to produce more melanin. This pigment gives skin its color and absorbs UV rays to prevent cell damage. Foregoing sunscreen can cause excess melanin deposits to form in the skin. These deposits can lead to the development of patchy spots that are darker than your skin's natural color. By applying sunblock, you can halt the overproduction of melanin and help avoid hyperpigmentation from altering your complexion.

If you need to find the right sunscreen to take advantage of its benefits, contact David K. Hiranaka, MD, DMD in Kailua-Kona, HI. Dr. Hiranaka and his trained aesthetics team carry a full line of skin care products, including formulas with SPF 30 to SPF 50 ratings to help Big Island residents prevent skin cancer and slow the signs of aging. Browse their skin care selection online, and call (808) 326-2040 for a consultation.