While clients should be wearing sunscreen all year round, many of them do not take sun protection seriously until the start of summer, when outdoor activities prompt them to slather on products with SPF. Although clients may be tempted to grab the first sunscreen they see, they should put as much consideration into the type of sunscreen they buy as they do other skin care products.
Acneic and rosacea-prone skin – These clients should consider using a sunscreen that does not contain preservatives, fragrances, PABA, alcohol, or oxybenzone. With this type of client, a physical sunscreen is the least likely to cause a reaction. They should also avoid creams as these products tend to be greasy and aggravate breakouts. Furthermore, topical acne medications can cause sun sensitivity, so clients using these products should be rigorous about using sunscreen on a daily basis.
Dry skin – Clients with dry skin will benefit from moisturizing sunscreens that contain oils and silicones. Most moisturizing sunscreens are expressed as a cream, lotion, or ointment.
Melasma-affected or fair skin – These clients should be using products with SPF 30 (at the very least) on a daily basis with reapplication every two hours or immediately after swimming or sweating.
Darker skin – Clients with darker skin tan easily and rarely burn, but they should still be using sunscreen daily. Although they rarely burn, tanning is the result of DNA damage from ultraviolet exposure. They should also use sunscreen with micronized particles, which blend in better than physical sunscreens, in order to avoid leaving the skin looking white and ashen. Clients with darker skin can get away with using a product with an SPF of 15.
Mature skin – Although mature skin already shows damage, older clients should use sunscreen in order to protect against further damage and skin cancer. For those with decreased mobility, spray-on sunscreen is great for hard-to-reach areas.
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