Sunscreen and Facial Glow

 How to Choose Sunscreen and Moisturiser 

Dr. KS Prasanna, Director, Institute of Applied Dermatology, Kasaragod, Kerala

The glowing face depicts one person's beauty. Everyone wants to look fair and beautiful. Follow the following methods.

1. Ask your dermatologist about your skin type. Depending upon your response to UV radiation(sunlight), six skin types are ranging from white, beige, brown, dark brown to black. But depending on the oil content, there are three types of skin 1. Oily 2. Dry 3. Normal.

Depending upon your skin type, your doctor will prescribe you the cleansers (soap, face wash), astringents, and moisturisers.

2. Apply sunscreens regularly from morning till evening once in every 3 to 4 hours………. When appropriately applied, sunscreen forms a film or coating on the surface of the skin that filters out radiation that would otherwise reach the living epidermis or dermis (deeper layer of skin). The active agents in sunscreen products do this by either absorbing or scattering   before they penetrate the skin surface. Sunscreens protect the skin from developing black patches on the face( melasma, freckle, etc.), wrinkling and ageing of the skin.

Sunscreens are classified into – Chemical(organic)-when these agents absorb radiation, they are initially raised to higher energy, excited molecular state. Upon reverting to their ground state, the stored energy is usually dissipated in the form of heat. That is why after applying the sunscreen one feels hot and sweaty. Physical(inorganic) sunscreens -Scatters light energy. Some of these agents(Dihydroxyacetone), which, when applied, is colourless, binds to, and stains the skin to produce a tanned appearance. This is the reason  why some people say that their face has become darker after applying sunscreen

3. Remove the unwanted hair on the face either by threading, waxing or Laser
4. If you have Acne(Pimples), consult your dermatologist who will treat you with oral and topical medicines.
5.  Black tiny things on your face what we call seborrheic keratoses or verruca plana. These can be removed either by chemical or electrocautery.
6. If you have white tiny things, just below your eyes or nose, what is know as colloid milia, can be removed by chemical cautery.
7. If you have dry, pale, chapped lip apply sunscreen, moisturiser and eat healthy food which contains vitamins and iron. Your dermatologist will treat you with these things.
8. Under-eye dark circles are routinely seen in all age groups. Usually, due to physical and mental stress. Ask yourself, are you not sleeping, using too much of WhatsApp, watching Television too much, are you stressed etc. One of the main reason is lack of sleep. Balancing these things will improve your face, and you will have a glowing face
9. Dental hygiene is also essential to increase your beauty. A good smile with good teeth increases the beauty of your face.
10.  Use Umbrella when you go to sunlight and eat a healthy , balanced diet to have a glowing face