Did You Know? Sun Damage, Melasma & Sunscreen

It doesn't matter if you are a hiker or gardener or if you are only in the sun going to and from your car and driving to work -- the aging rays in the UVA spectrum are present from sun-up to sun-down, 365 days a year, summer and winter, rain or shine. The sun's rays penetrate clouds, window glass and thin clothing. Twenty minutes of daily unprotected sun exposure over the course of a  year is equal to spending 8 hours a day for 2 weeks sunbathing without protection. That's why it is important to always wear UVA/UVB sunscreen.

Heat (even cooking over a hot stove), hormones, and sunlight can cause brown spots on your skin. Keep cool and reapply sunscreen every 2 hours when exposed to the sun. Birth control pills or hormone replacement can make you sun-sensitive, so never be stingy with the sunscreen. Remember, no sunscreen lasts all day.

If you are treating your skin for age spots and melasma, a single day of unprotected sun exposure can virtually undo months of treatment. Don't forget the sunscreen, summer or winter!

Related: Sunscreen not just for summer: Why you should protect your skin in winter - National Skin Care Examiner