Normally, applying sunscreen is a daily routine included in the Skincare Routine of many people who do it before leaving home to go to work. But when a new outbreak of COVID -19 occurred, causing most people to have to work from home or Work From Home (WFH), the question arises: In fact, if we have to work at home and do not go out in the sun anywhere. Do we still need to apply sunscreen?
Why is sunscreen important?
- Ultraviolet (UV) radiation (UVA and UVB) is the main cause of skin damage, free radicals, wrinkles, sagging skin, sunburn, and skin cancer.
- UVA rays can pass through glass into houses, as well as blue light from mobile phones and computer screens. Therefore, even when you are indoors, you should still apply appropriate sunscreen.
- You should choose a sunscreen that can protect against both UVA and UVB rays. You can check the SPF and PA values respectively. You should choose an SPF level of 30 and a PA value of 3+ or higher.
How do sunlight and UV rays affect your skin?
Dr. Peerathitha Rattakul, a dermatologist specializing in laser skin disease treatment, cosmetic surgery, and facial contouring with fillers at Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital, stated that sunlight or sunlight is one of the main causes of damage to skin cells, causing free radicals, dermatitis, loss of collagen under the skin, darkening of the skin, freckles, and increasing the risk of skin cancer. Sunlight consists of infrared light, visible light, and invisible light, which is the ultraviolet (UV) or UV that we are familiar with.
There are 3 types of UV rays in sunlight: UVA, UVB, and UVC. Most UVC rays are absorbed, reflected, or destroyed by the Earth’s ozone layer. So they do not have much effect on the สมัคร ufabet skin. Therefore, we will talk about the first 2 types of rays: UVA and UVB, which are the main causes of various skin problems.
- Ultraviolet A or UVA rays can be divided into UVA-I and UVA-II. In sunlight, there is up to 95% UVA. UVA rays are harmful to the skin, causing wrinkles, sagging skin, darkening of the skin, dark spots, and the creation of free radicals. They indirectly affect DNA, genetic mutations, and can cause some types of skin cancer.
- Ultraviolet B or UVB rays cause sunburn, skin inflammation, premature aging, and are also a major cause of skin cancer if the skin is exposed to sunlight frequently. Especially midday or afternoon sun, or when the sky is clear with few clouds and without good protection.
Is applying sunscreen necessary when staying at home?
If you have to work from home and not go out, many people may wonder. If they still need to apply sunscreen. Some people may think that since they are not exposed to the sun, there is no need to apply it. However, some people may still be concerned about UV light from household electrical appliances such as fluorescent lights, televisions, or computer screens.
In reality, these devices emit almost no UV radiation, or if they do, it is at a very low level, and does not have any harmful effects on the skin. However, the concern is probably UVA radiation from light that leaks in through windows or glass. For clear glass, UVA radiation can pass through up to 75%, while for tinted or reflective glass, UVA radiation can pass through 25-50% (UVB radiation cannot pass through glass).
Therefore, even though home appliances hardly emit UV rays. If you want to protect your skin from sunlight that may pass through windows or glass while you are indoors. It is recommended that you always apply sunscreen. Use sunscreen with the appropriate SPF and PA values (SPF 30 and PA 3+ or higher) and close the curtains. Try to sit as far away from the window as possible. Or switch to laminated glass instead of clear glass. And install a film to filter UVA rays that pass through the glass. Including avoiding being in areas where sunlight shines will help prevent UVA rays from harming the skin.
Choosing a sunscreen
- Choose a sunscreen that protects against both UVB and UVA rays. You can observe the SPF and PA values respectively. You should choose an SPF level of 30 or higher and a PA level of 3+ or higher (according to EU standards on sunscreen product development principles).
- Choose a product texture and properties that are appropriate for the activity you are doing. If you are working from home, it is recommended to choose a texture that is comfortable on the skin, not too heavy on the skin, and does not cause clogging. You may not need to choose a waterproof or sweatproof type. Because you will not be doing activities that cause a lot of sweating.
- You should choose a sunscreen that suits your skin type. For example, if you have oily skin, choose a gel or lotion type, or a texture that you like.
- Choose a sunscreen that can protect against infrared (IR) rays or heat rays that we are directly exposed to, and blue light (BL) from computer screens, mobile phones, and tablets.
- Choose a sunscreen that does not contain occlusive agents such as lanolin, PG, or propylene glycol, which can cause acne. If you want to help easily, it is recommended to choose a physical sunscreen. Which contains compounds such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Because they are less likely to clog pores and are not absorbed into the skin.
- If any adverse effects occur after use, or if an allergic reaction or rash occurs, stop using immediately.
- Choose a sunscreen that is non-comedogenic, preservative-free, and fragrance-free.
- Choose a sunscreen that does not contain alcohol, as it can dry out your skin.
Proper application of sunscreen
- If you work from home, stay indoors all the time, and don’t sweat. You may not need to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours. However, if you have to go outside and be in the sun, you should reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, regardless of the SPF or PA of the sunscreen.
- The appropriate amount of sunscreen for applying to the face at one time should be squeezed out at least 2 milligrams of sunscreen, or about 2 knuckles/10 baht coin. If it is in a water or spray form, it should be used in a larger amount than the cream.
- In addition to your face, don’t forget to apply sunscreen to your neck, ears, and body.
- If using chemical sunscreen, apply it at least 30 minutes before going out into the sun. However, if using physical sunscreen, you can apply it right after going out into the sun.
As you can see, sunscreen acts like a shield to protect your skin from UV rays in the sun. Therefore, it is recommended to apply sunscreen with the appropriate SPF and PA values every day, even if you have to work or stay at home all day, along with other protection such as installing a film to filter light on the glass. This is to protect your skin from wrinkles, dark spots, and premature aging.