sunscreen make skin darker - #18635
I am really worried because I've been using sunscreen every day for a few months now, yet my skin seems to be getting darker, and I don't know why. I always heard that sunscreen is supposed to protect your skin, but I wonder if using it could actually be making my skin darker instead? I've been applying it religiously because I know the sun's harmful, and I have a history of getting sunburnt quickly. I use a broad-spectrum SPF 50, and I reapply it every couple of hours when I'm outside, but this doesn’t make sense. I mean, isn’t sunscreen supposed to prevent darkening from the sun? Friends even comment that I look tanner, which is kinda strange because that’s exactly what I was trying to avoid!!! Maybe I am not using enough? Is there a chance that some ingredients in sunscreen could be reacting with my skin in a weird way, making it darker? I thought that was all just myths, but are there specific types of sunscreen I should be avoiding? Could it be that my skin is just responding to something else? I’m really confused and just want to make sure I’m doing the right thing for my skin!
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Doctors' responses
Sunscreen is indeed intended to protect the skin from UV rays, but if your skin appears to be getting darker, there might be a few reasons for this. Firstly, it’s essential to check if you’re applying the sunscreen adequately. For effective protection, you should apply about 1 ounce (a shot glass size) for full body coverage and even more importantly, reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating. If you are not applying enough or missing areas, unprotected skin might still be exposed to UV rays. Additionally, certain sunscreen ingredients—even though they shouldn’t inherently cause pigmentation changes—might not be fully protecting against all forms of UV rays or visible light, especially if not selected properly. Broad-spectrum sunscreens cover UVA and UVB rays, but there might be need to consider visible light protection as well since it can contribute to hyperpigmentation and may require physical blockers like zinc oxide. Another consideration might be the sunscreen’s expiration date or whether it has been stored appropriately, as expired or heat-compromised sunscreen can lose efficacy. Also, paying attention to other external factors is crucial, such as medications or topical products known to induce photosensitivity—they may cause the skin to become more reactive to sunlight, even with proper sunscreen use. If, despite taking these steps, the darkening persists, it might be beneficial to see a dermatologist. They can evaluate whether there is an underlying condition, like melasma or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which could be causing increased pigmentation unrelated to sunscreen itself. They can provide personalized advice or treatments such as medical-grade sunscreens or topical agents that can even out skin tone.
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