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Skincare San Antonio | Treating Sun Damaged Skin

Skincare San Antonio specialist Dr. Jose Barrera, MD is a board certified Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon specializing in facial and skin rejuvenation. Sun damaged skin can present with age spots and solar elastosis. Age spots are a consequence of sun damaged skin. Many patients ask me what proper skincare San Antonio regiment is needed in South Texas. As a facial specialist, I recommend proper SPF and sunscreen. The right sun block or sunscreen prevents sun burns, wrinkles, and age spots (dyschromias). As the team physician for the Air Force Cycling Team, I spend many weekends riding my bike around San Antonio, Texas. I also enjoy spending a fair bit of time outdoors and even though I have olive skin and rarely burn, I have to remind myself to put sunscreen on or I can burn despite my skin tone. A proper sun block contains both titanium and zinc oxide.  Our clinical spa features Skinceuticals sun block and Skincare.

Dr. Jose Barrera, MD discusses Nonsurgical Skincare San Antonio treatment options. Watch his interview on Top skincare treatment options.

What is SPF?

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. SPF is the number that is determined experimentally indoors by exposing human subjects to a light spectrum meant to mimic noontime sun. The amount of light that induces redness in sunscreen-protected skin is divided by the amount of light that induces redness in unprotected skin, thus giving us the SPF. SPF measures UVB protection and not UVA. SPF scores range from 1 to 45 or more.

What number SPF should I use?

SPF and sunscreen use if very important. The product type and SPF and sunscreen use rating is a personal decision. However, I will give some guidelines for consideration. For example, an SPF 15 sunscreen will filter 92% of the UVB. An SPF 15 sunscreen will delay the onset of a sunburn in a person who would otherwise burn in 10 minutes to instead burn in 150 minutes. The SPF 15 sunscreen allows a person to stay out in the sun 15 times longer.

Does my sunscreen protect against UVA exposure?

The SPF rating on your sunscreen applies to UVB protection. It does not predict UVA protection and there is no current standard for protecting against UVA. The UV Index is a public health education tool reported by meteorologists in 58 U.S. cities. It offers a daily report of UV light levels on a scale from 1-10+. Check out your local weather channel to determine the UVA index before spending considerable time outdoors.

Best Skincare San Antonio Options 

Best Skincare San Antonio treatment options are avoiding sun damage to begin with. Clothing can protect against UVB exposure but only so much. For example,nylon Stockings are rated at an SPF 2, and hats as an SPF 3-6. If planning and outdoor trip, wear specific sun-protective clothing (up to SPF 30)and bring the sunscreen. If you have sun damage, then choosing correction with laser skin resurfacing and chemical peels may be appropriate options to improve skin tone and discoloration. Other options include using topical retinals and pigment corrector skincare. We offer both Sent and Skinceuticals Skincare San Antonio products.

Have a happy and safe summer.

Dr. Jose Barrera, MD, Texas Facial Plastic Surgery and Laser | Rejuve MD MedSpa San Antonio, Texas