How to Protect Your Skin with SPF — and What to Do If You Get Sunburned
Summer is in full swing in Denver and that means long days outdoors, hiking, camping, and Rockies games in the gorgeous Colorado sun.
While we will definitely be getting outside to enjoy the sunshine, we also know how important it is to protect our skin while outdoors. According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, daily use of SPF 15 sunscreen can reduce your risk of skin cancer by up to 50%. SPF – or Sun Protection Factor – defines the amount of protection or shielding a product provides. Dermatologists and estheticians alike recommend using a minimum of SPF 30, while going up to 50 SPF protects you from about 98% of UVB rays. In addition to protection from sunburn, using an SPF regularly can help prevent sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles, premature collagen loss and other skin concerns.
With so many options for sun protection, how do you choose what is best for your skin? We asked our estheticians at Grand Salon & MedSpa to share their favorites.
Stacey Lohmar, Grand Salon & MedSpa’s master esthetician, loves Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Glow by Colorescience, “It gives you a light shimmer, it never feels heavy, and it’s a physical sunscreen so the zinc and titanium physically block the sun rays,” she said.
Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield SPF 50 comes in two formulas. It comes in a lightweight, universal shade that provides protection against UVA/UVB, pollution, blue light and infrared radiation. It is water-resistant for up to 40 minutes and is hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic. It is a well-rounded protectant for both indoor and outdoor use. The Face Shield Glow provides all the same benefits, and comes in a flattering golden peach shimmer formula. Both retail for $42.
“My favorite out of all of them is the Brush-On Shield by Colorescience,” says our cosmetic nurse, Carrie Meis. “It’s a mineral powder so it’s safe for sensitive skin, you can throw it in your purse, you can put it on right over makeup. It is so convenient!”
Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Shield SPF 50 is an all-mineral powder sunscreen with an antioxidant-rich formula and antimicrobial bristles to protect the brush and maintain freshness, not to mention it is water-resistant for 80 minutes. This product retails for $69.
For our Revision Skincare fans, the Intellishade SPF has options for everyone! The Original formula is a daily anti-aging tinted moisturizer with broad-spectrum SPF 45, designed to “correct, protect, conceal, brighten and hydrate skin.” It helps to enhance skin’s natural moisture barrier and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Skin tone is brightened and more even. The sheer mineral tint can even replace your concealer or foundation based on desired level of coverage.
Intellishade Matte is inspired by the Original, however this formula is perfect for those with oily or combination skin. It boasts all of the same benefits as the Original, but with a matte finish.
Stacey loves Intellishade Clear, the non-tinted formula. “It’s lightweight and has no tint, but it is also moisturizing, anti-aging and helps even skin tone so it’s more all-in-one,” she said. The Clear formula also features ingredients such as THD Ascorbate (Vitamin C), EGCG from Green Tea, Hyaluronic Acid and Boron Nitride to help achieve healthy, beautiful skin.
Finally, the Intellishade TruPhysical is a true 100% mineral sunscreen with over 20 anti-aging ingredients and all the benefits of the Original formula. All Intellishade formulas retail for $80.
Certainly, there is a sunscreen at Grand for every skin type and preference! And we try to be as diligent and responsible with our sun protection as we can – applying every morning as part of our regular skincare routine, and especially before going out to spend time in the sun.
However, sometimes perhaps the hours in the sun get away from you and you forget to reapply, or forget that the sun is mightier at higher altitudes, or you forget to wear a hat and you start to feel the crispiness set in… We’ve all been there. You look in the mirror when you get inside and you are red as a watermelon!
What do you do when you get a sunburn? What’s the best way to start healing your skin and soothing the burn?
First and foremost, get out of the sun or find coverage as soon as you feel your skin burning and avoid going into the sun exposed until your burn is healed.
You can use a cool cloth on the skin, or take a cool shower or bath to soothe and help reduce inflammation.
Drink lots of water! Sunburned skin is dry and dehydrated, so hydrating is a must.
Moisturize your skin. Aloe vera can be cooling and soothing on a burn.
Avoid using any exfoliants, physical or chemical, while healing a sunburn, so your retinol can take a backseat.
A cooling sheet mask for your face is a relaxing way to soothe and hydrate burnt skin. Grand Salon & MedSpa carries Patchology masks in our boutique!
Switch to gentle and non-abrasive skincare products while your skin heals. We recommend the Sensitive Skin Cleanser by Sanitas, or the Gentle Foaming Cleanser by Revision. Both are very mild cleansers that will not irritate the skin further.
Use a deep moisturizer on your skin instead of your normal daily moisturizer. Sanitas’ Topical C Moisturizer is a lifesaver in a situation like this. It is a thick balm that spreads easily over skin to nourish and leave it feeling deeply moisturized. With key ingredients like Vitamin C to brighten and firm collagen-depleted skin, and Vitamin D that improves firmness and moisture retention, this “do-it-all” hydrator is the perfect product to help heal your burn.
Lastly, let your skin peel on its own! If you pick at the flaking dead skin, it puts your skin at risk for scarring.
Whether you need advice on treating a bad sunburn, need a hydrating service for your skin, or want a customized skincare plan, our skin experts are available for consultations at your convenience. Book a Full Skincare Consultation online at www.grand-salon.com or call us (303-572-1435) to schedule your appointment today.
Bekah Gallegos | Guest Relations Manager
Bekah is a Colorado native with a passion for helping others look and feel their best. She spent 8 years working behind the chair as a hairstylist in Boulder before she moved to Denver. She then worked in the bridal sphere before she came to Grand Salon & Medspa to manage guest relations and our front desk staff.
When Bekah’s not helping guests have the best experience possible at Grand, you can find her exploring a new coffee shop or happy hour, or at home with her two cats Brad and Leo. Follow Bekah @bekahgalhair
