"Protect your skin from solar UV radiation." We all get these suggestions from our elders, doctors, and family members. But do you know why you should use sunscreen daily or when you need to reapply it?
Here, we will discuss some of the standard terms you regularly hear related to sunscreen, sun safety, and what you need to know when it comes to protecting your skin with Vitiligo. If you are a vitiligo patient, you must read this for valuable insights. These are the best recommendations shared by vitiligo specialists in Delhi.
Understanding Vitiligo
Vitiligo is an acquired autoimmune disease in which melanocytes, the skin cells responsible for forming skin pigment, are completely lost. Melanin is the primary cell responsible for protecting skin from harmful UV rays. Generally, in autoimmune diseases, the immune cells start to kill their healthy cells by mistake, and people with Vitiligo usually tend to get affected by other autoimmune diseases as well.
Dealing with Vitiligo is challenging, and proper care is essential for every patient. The role sunscreen plays in skin protection is phenomenal. Here, we will explore how sunscreen can protect people facing Vitiligo, as told to us by the best vitiligo doctor in Delhi.
Why are people with Vitiligo sensitive to the sun?
Vitiligo is one of the most significant worries about protecting the skin from sunlight. If you attend gatherings or effectively follow discussions about Vitiligo, you'll frequently find queries like how to protect your skin from the sun or what the best SPF sunscreen to use daily is.
People with Vitiligo are sensitive and delicate to the sun because they need pigment, which implies there is no natural shield from the sun. Eventually, this means that people with Vitiligo get affected quickly and easily. That's why a high SPF is strongly suggested for anyone with the condition.
How Sunscreen is Beneficial for Vitiligo Patients?
Sunscreen that protects you from harmful solar UV radiation becomes essential for everyone. Not only people with Vitiligo but also people with normal skin require some amount of sunscreen in their daily lives. The primary role of sunscreen is to block the sun's UV radiation from entering the skin and causing damage like skin cancer.
Here are some main benefits of using sunscreen for vitiligo patients, according to vitiligo specialists in Delhi:
Prevention of Sunburn
For people with Vitiligo, sunburn can happen quickly due to the lack of melanin in depigmented areas of the skin. The region becomes highly sensitive and requires expert care. In normal skin, melanin protects against the harmful UV rays. Without the protection, the skin can burn much more quickly.
According to the best dermatologists in Delhi, regular sunscreen application can help create a barrier that blocks harmful UV rays. This significantly reduces the risk of sunburn and further damage to the skin.
Reducing the Risk of Skin Cancer
Yes, you read it right: "The sun causes skin cancer." Many people are unaware that due to UV radiation, skin-related problems are increasing excessively. And the type of protection we are doing is not enough to protect our skin from damage.
It is essential to have the right kind of sunscreen and use it in a daily skincare routine. Not only people with sensitive skin, like vitiligo patients, but even ordinary people require some level of SPF. And if you have vitiligo-affected skin, your every exposure requires high SPF protection. Using sunscreen with a high SPF can offer vital defense against these harmful rays, thereby decreasing the probability of skin cancer by protecting the DNA in skin cells from UV-induced mutations.
Managing and Preventing Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation means darkening of the skin, which can occur when the skin experiences constant sun exposure. For vitiligo patients, hyperpigmentation problems can be easily noticeable between depigmented and normally pigmented areas.
Using sunscreen can prevent these areas, even skin tone, and reduce the visibility of vitiligo patches. It also protects against new patches from developing or existing ones from spreading.
Selecting the Right Sunscreen for Extra Protection
Broad-Spectrum Protection: Choose a sunscreen that can offer you broad-spectrum protection (UVA and UVB rays).
Water Resistance: Water-resistant sunscreens provide longer-lasting protection, especially for swimming.
Formulation Type: Sunscreens come in various formulations, such as lotions, creams, gels, and sprays. You can choose one that fits your skin.
Knowing about SPF is essential when choosing sunscreen, and if you have Vitiligo, it requires extra care and attention.
Vitiligo doctors in Delhi usually recommend two types of SPF levels: SPF 30 and SPF 50+. SPF 30 provides good protection by blocking 97% of UVB rays, but SPF 50+ provides even better protection by blocking 98% of UVB rays.
Exploring The Proper Use of Sunscreen Application Techniques
With the proper use of sunscreen, you can keep your skin healthy.
Choose the right sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays.
Try out the two-finger rule while applying a generous amount of sunscreen. Remember also to cover the ears, neck, backs of the hands, and tops of the feet.
Apply sunscreen for the best results at least 15-30 minutes before going outside.
Vitiligo can sometimes be associated with dry skin, so it can be beneficial to use sunscreen that also has moisturizing properties.
Key Takeaways!
Protecting your skin is essential for living a confident life. If you have Vitiligo, choosing the right sunscreen can prevent various complications. If you have additional questions related to Vitiligo, speak with the best vitiligo doctor in Delhi, Dr Gaurav Garg, at Dermalife Hair and Skin Clinic. We offer a range of vitiligo treatment options, such as topical ointments, vitiligo surgery, and laser treatment for vitiligo. Dr. Gaurav Garg is one of the best laser hair removal doctors in Delhi, beard hair transplant, and hair transplant in Delhi.
