Five SPF Myths You Need to Know

In today’s world of non-stop information, it is often difficult for clients to tell the difference between the skin care myths and the skin care facts. But don’t worry! We’re here to help you identify truth from fiction. We’ve asked a panel of licensed estheticians and skin care experts what sun care myths they hear most often – and what the truth is behind these myths. Here are the top SPF myths you should warn your clients about.

Myth: A base tan protects me from sunburn.

Fact: To many people, this is one of the most surprising skin care facts. There is no such thing as a safe tan. Always use a broad spectrum sunscreen.

"There is no such thing as a safe or protective tan. Any tan at all is a sign of skin damage. Your skin tans as a response to UV damage. Even tanning occassionally greatly increases your risk of skin cancer and many other skin concerns." – Debi Williams, Licensed Esthetician

All tans, even those created in a tanning bed, are dangerous.

"Many people think tanning beds are safe because they say they filter out so-called 'burning' rays - UVB. Even if that were true, the UVA rays go deeper into your skin, causing cancers and premature aging. You are still at serious risk with this type of exposure." – Carol Byrne, Bioelements Educator and licensed esthetician

Myth: You can "cure" a sunburn

Fact: We understand why clients search for sunburn cures - sunburns are painful! Who wouldn't want to get rid of one? The problem is that even if they find something that soothes your burnt skin, they aren't undoing any of the damage.

90 percent of age signs are caused by UV exposure. These signs can occur well after the skin is healed, so make sure clients aren't fooling themselves. Not to mention the risk for skin cancer. The only thing that might be alleviated from a sunburn "cure" is a bit of pain - not any of the health dangers caused by sunburn.

Remember: It only takes five sunburns for someone to increase their risk for the deadliest form of skin cancer (melanoma) by a whopping 80%! Make sure clients use a broad spectrum sunscreen with quality ingredients every single day to protect them from skin cancer and premature aging.

Myth: Tanning helps to clear breakouts.

Fact: When someone gets a tan, they actually harm their skin, not help it. Tanning can even cause the skin to produce more oil over time, which could lead to more breakouts.

"Time in the sun to help get rid of your acne blemishes will just result in both hyperpigmentation (dark spots) and more acne. In darker skin tones, tanning may cause formation of PIH (Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation), which is a result of melanin rushing to the site of the blemish to try and “protect” the area, as melanin is the skin’s first responder to injury. Both the sun and acne are recognized by the body as an inflammatory response, or an injury.  So, in short, you risk permanent damage to your skin, instead of an acne blemish that may last for a few days or less with proper skin care (such as the Bioelements acne line)." – Teresa Stenzel, Bioelements Director of Education.

Myth: The SPF in my makeup is enough to protect me from the sun.

Fact: Think again! The amount of SPF in these makeup formulas is extremely small and offers little protection.

Take it from licensed esthetician and Bioelements educator, Carol Byrne: "You would have to wear layer upon layer upon layer of makeup – much more makeup than an average person would wear – to reach the SPF level needed for protection. Instead, apply a broad spectrum sunscreen that provides protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Bioelements SPF 50 FaceScreen is specifically designed to use on your face and works flawlessly under makeup."

Myth: I don't need sunscreen on a cloudy day.

Fact: Almost every single esthetician and skin care expert on our panel listed this as one of their most-heard (and dangerous) myths.

“The clouds make a barrier that diffuses only the smallest amount of sunlight. The reality is your skin absorbs the same amount of harmful UVA and UVB rays on a cloudy day as it does on a sunny day. Always wear sunscreen.” – Rhonda Robb, Licensed Esthetician and Bioelements Educator

“Anyone who has spent a cloudy day at the beach without using sunscreen can tell you this is not true. Whether or not there are clouds, sunscreen must be worn everyday to protect from sun damage.” –Debi Williams, Licensed Esthetician

“Sunscreen needs to be applied every single day because 80% of the sun’s rays come through on cloudy days. Over time this will lead to accumulative sun damage and early aging.” – Dawn Gantt, Licensed Esthetician and Bioelements Educator

“Sun damage is cumulative throughout your entire life and you are exposed constantly, regardless of the weather. 10 minutes here, 5 minutes there, day in and day out will continue to damage the skin. Even sitting inside near a window puts you at risk of lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, dullness, sagging and rough textured skin. Not to mention skin cancer! Wear your SPF every day no matter what activities you have planned or what the weather looks like.” – Teresa Stenzel

Even if a client has darker skin, they're not protected from the sun's harmful rays.

“Skin with more melanin still needs to be protected from the sun. Everyone, regardless of skin tone, can still develop skin cancer and premature aging.” – Renee Harvey, Licensed Esthetician and Bioelements Educator