It is guaranteed that every year when spring and summer roll around you will hear the dangers of not wearing sunscreen. But what if every time you try to use sunscreen, you have to stop because you have a negative reaction? Here are some negative reactions you might encounter to make you not feel so alone and to find some solutions to them.
Redness, blisters, and swelling are all symptoms of an allergic reaction to sunscreen. There are two types of allergies to sunscreen: contact allergy and contact photoallergy. A contact allergy is directly caused by the sunscreen on your skin. A contact photoallergy is caused by a combination of the sunscreen and being exposed to the sun. You may not show symptoms of an allergy right away, as with any allergy, it can develop after years of use. If using sunscreen causes a skin reaction, take note, even if you’ve been using sunscreen forever.
If this happens to you, don’t despair. Your doctor can help you determine which chemical caused the allergy and find a sunscreen without it.
Using sunscreen can be a nightmare for those with skin conditions like acne, eczema, or psoriasis. The chemicals in sunscreen can cause a painful and unsightly breakout. Many sunscreens also block pores which causes breakouts and pimples even for people without any skin conditions. There are also many that promise not to block pores, so you might try those before giving up on sunscreen altogether.
If none of the solutions above help you, it isn’t necessary to avoid going outside. There’s always more direct solutions to slathering sunscreen on.
Clothing and hats are always a great option to protect yourself, though wearing long sleeves and long pants in the heat is uncomfortable and impossible if you are swimming.
Physical sunscreens most commonly use zinc oxide and don’t have the risks associated with chemical sunscreens since they simply reflect harmful rays, though they still may be bad for acne sufferers.
There are tons of non-chemical sunscreens available on the market now that would fit seamlessly into your make-up routine (no thick, greasy white paste!).
If you have questions or concerns about how to protect your skin, talk to your esthetician on your next visit or see a doctor. We specialize in helping people with sensitive skin find solutions.