Dangsan Station Dermatology Clinic: “UV Rays Are Actually More Dangerous Right Now”

Hello.

I’m Kang In-jeong, the director of The River Dermatology Clinic.

With Buddha’s Birthday marking the end of May’s holiday season, the holidays are coming to an end like this~ㅠ.ㅠ

While planning a special family-month event with our staff to celebrate Family Month in May, we were grateful that so many people visited our clinic. Before we knew it, June was just around the corner as we took a moment to catch our breath instead of holding the event.ㅎㅎ

Recently, it seemed that many people who were preparing for weddings or family events came to visit us.

Even when they did not have a special event coming up, I could sense that many people were also visiting because they were interested in skincare to prepare for the approaching summer.ㅎㅎ

I usually see the faces and skin of patients who receive regular treatments every one to two weeks.

While performing toning treatments in the laser room, there is one thing I say most often:

“ You’re applying sunscreen regularly these days, right?”

Today,

I’d like to talk about the importance of sunscreen—something that, no matter how much we emphasize it, never seems to be emphasized enough. :)

“Why your skin can burn easily and become sensitive even though summer has not officially begun”

Generally, people think that midsummer, when the weather becomes intensely hot, is the time when UV rays are strongest.

However, in reality, UV radiation is affected more by

‘how high the sun is in the sky’ than by high temperatures.

That is why, even in May and early summer, when it is not yet as hot as midsummer,

your skin may be exposed to much stronger UV rays than you realize.

These days, my phone even sends me an alert when the UV index is high.ㅎㅎ

Especially during this time of year, people may think,

“Summer hasn’t arrived yet, so it should be fine to go out briefly.”

As a result, they may use sunscreen less often.

However, from your skin’s perspective,

photoaging may already be beginning during this period.

Therefore, sun protection is not

“skincare for hot days only.”

It is important to continue protecting your skin consistently as a daily habit, starting now, as the sun’s altitude begins to rise.

“What happens to skin exposed to UV rays” — Yeongdeungpo Dermatology Specialist

In a world overflowing with information about skin on the internet and YouTube, I imagine that anyone with even a little interest in skincare already knows how important sunscreen is.

But what exactly happens to skin exposed to UV rays?

It is incorrect to think that if your skin becomes noticeably tanned during spring and summer, it will return to its original condition in fall and winter simply because you spend more time indoors and get less sunlight.

The UV exposure that accumulates over time

does not end with your skin becoming temporarily tanned.

UV rays affect the reduction of collagen and elastin in the skin,

▶ Loss of skin elasticity

▶ Fine lines

▶ Hyperpigmentation

▶ Dull or uneven skin tone

They gradually contribute to what is known as

‘photoaging.’

In particular, UVA can pass through glass,

so it may continue to affect your skin while driving or spending time indoors.

By contrast, UVB acts strongly on the surface of the skin,

causing redness

and sometimes worsening pigmentation conditions such as melasma and dark spots.

Rather than taking precautions only “on days when the sunlight feels hot,”

it is much more important to consistently maintain sun-protection habits suited to your skin type and current skin condition.

There is also something many people overlook here.

That is,

more important than choosing a ‘good sunscreen’

is selecting one suited to your skin type and applying a sufficient amount as recommended.

How to Choose a Sunscreen Suited to Your Skin Type

When choosing cosmetics, I usually check the ingredients first rather than focusing on the brand or how well-known it is.ㅎ

There are simply so many types. 😂

(The incredible variety of K-BEAUTY)

I put together a summary for those who have difficulty finding a sunscreen suited to their skin type.ㅎㅎ

For reference, I also tend to prefer fragrance-free products whenever possible, including products that come into contact with the skin, such as lip balm and hand cream.😊

The Most Important Thing About Using Sunscreen, According to a Dermatology Specialist

Even if you have found a sunscreen suited to your skin type, the truly most~~~ important point is whether you applied the proper amount correctly.ㅎ

In fact, this is the point I most want to emphasize while writing this post.

To achieve the level of protection indicated by the SPF, you need to apply a much~ larger amount than you would normally use, covering your entire face sufficiently.

The recommended amount is generally described as about two finger lengths or roughly the size of a 500-won coin.

Honestly, even I find it difficult to apply that amount all at once.ㅜㅜ

In particular, our faces have curved areas, such as the cheekbones, forehead, and nose,

so these areas also need to be covered carefully.

Even after application, especially during the hot summer,

sunscreen can gradually wear off due to sweat, sebum, and friction.

Therefore, when spending a lot of time outdoors or staying outside for an extended period,

it is also very important to reapply it every two to three hours.

Using physical methods of blocking UV rays, such as hats and parasols, can also be helpful.

Recently, many people have also been using UV-protection patches.

Personally, I think it is best to apply sunscreen and combine it with physical sun protection. :)

Finally,

skin aging

is not something that suddenly appears one day.

It often develops as the result of small amounts of UV exposure repeated every day,

which gradually accumulate over a long period of time.

Please remember that sun protection

is not skincare to think about only briefly during the summer.

It is a basic skincare habit you should maintain

to keep your skin healthy for a long time. :)