With the weather getting warmer day by day, people are really concerned about the best practices associated with the use of sunscreen. From the concerns regarding opting a physical sunscreen or a chemical sunscreen to choosing the right SPF, experts from Mayo Clinic has answers to each and every question that a person might have in mind.
According to Mayo experts, both forms of sunscreen - physical and chemical - offer effective protection against UV radiation from the sun. However, it is important to make sure that both the forms of sunscreen are applied correctly.
Physical sunscreen is cheaper than chemical ways of protecting against radiation. In addition, it might be a safer option for people to choose physical sunscreen in case their skin is sensitive to the use of chemical-based products.
For best protection, it is important to wear sunscreen even when indoors. Sunscreens offer protection against both UVA and UVB radiation that cause damage to the skin.
While UVA radiation penetrates deep into the skin and results in damage over a longer period of time, including wrinkles, age spots and premature ageing of the skin, UVB radiation results in sunburn. The two types of UV radiation lead to a different impact on the skin because of the difference in their wavelengths.
Physical sunscreens contain titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. These chemicals completely prevent or blocks the UV light from reaching the skin. On the other hand, chemical sunscreens absorb the UV light and causes it to undergo a chemical reaction that prevents the radiation from damaging the skin.
In addition, it is less irritating to the skin, making it suitable for use in children and people with sensitive skin.
