To Sun Protect, Or Not Protect? that is the question…(part 1)

It feels fitting, especially during Phoenix,Arizona’s sunniest and hottest summer months, to dive into all things sun-related. I’m sure this will be a multi-part blog discussion, as I find many people don't fully understand the "why’s" and "how’s" behind the sun and sun protection.

Most of my clients seem to fall into one of three camps:

* "Sun is bad; SPF all day, every day."

* "SPF is toxic; I just wear tallow or nothing at all."

* “I dont know the importance of it- I wear it sometimes.”

Regardless of their beliefs, many operate on autopilot when it comes to sun protection, or any skincare routine for that matter. This discussion aims to encourage what I call "intentional skincare" and provide some education on the topic of sun protection.

So, how do we navigate the spectrum of ideologies “TO SUN MY BUNS?” OR “SPF!!! ALL DAY, EVERY Day?”

I believe the best approach is to learn and understand what is happening to our skin at a cellular level. This day and age, people are bombarded with polarizing opinions to the point of feeling flustered and overwhelmed, as if they have to pick a side. My goal isn't to sway you in one direction or another, but to help guide you in navigating the sun's tricky balance— it's vital for health, but can also cause sneaky, cumulative damage.

UVA and UVB rays from the sun hit our skin daily, and their effects accumulate over time. Every moment in the sun adds to the damage, which later appears as wrinkles, spots, or worse. UVA (think “A” for Aging) rays penetrate deep into the dermis, causing silent, long-term harm, like a tan (which is essentially a scar that never fades). UVB (think “B” for burn) rays primarily affect the epidermis, triggering sunburns and increasing the risk of skin cancer. The crucial point is that this damage begins in our teenage years and builds relentlessly with age.

Vitamin D, which is synthesized by UVB rays, is incredibly beneficial. It strengthens bones, boosts immunity, helps combat depression, and may even reduce cancer risk. However, here's the paradox: while UVB helps create cancer-fighting vitamin D, excessive exposure to both UVB and UVA can lead to skin cancer. Balance and intention really are key! You typically need only about 20 minutes of sun exposure for sufficient vitamin D—less for pale skin (Fitzpatrick I-III) and more for darker skin (IV-VI) due to melanin blocking UVB. Overdo it, and UVA rays can even destroy vitamin D, further contributing to cumulative damage.

Most sun damage occurs from daily activities—driving, walking, or even relaxing under an umbrella. It’s also important to mention that computer screens and fluorescent lights emit tiny amounts of UV, contributing to photoaging over time. Damage accumulates daily, and consistent protection is essential. This is why it’s important to think, “Do I need protection just to run errands at 2 pm?” If you are wanting to preserve your skin, the answer is one big YES!

To drive it home even more, think about it this way: if you are spending hundreds (sometimes thousands) of dollars on skincare and treatments and not being intentional with your sun protection, in a lot of ways you are reversing your progress and throwing your money to the wind. As we age, a big focus should be “how do we encourage collagen production?” Well, if SPF is not a priority, you are triggering a breakdown within the skin matrix, making it weak and visibly creating a loss of laxity, aging your skin faster.

Part 2 will be focused on “HOW TO STAY SUN-SMART”, tips, and recommendations on how to have a balanced relationship with this sun.