When Doing Activities Indoors Do You Need To Wear Sunscreen? Here's The Dermatologist's Answer

Illustration of the need to use sunscreen or sunscreen indoors (iStockphoto)

YOGYAKARTA – Sunscreen or sunscreen is usually formulated to effectively protect the skin from sun exposure. Known to contain SPF with a certain level according to the intensity of sun exposure. But if you are active indoors and not exposed to direct sunlight, do you need to wear sunscreen?

Many people wear sunscreen in the summer. It protects ultraviolet rays from sun exposure. But according to Elizabeth Hale, MD., senior vice president of the Skin Cancer Foundation and professor of clinical dermatology at NYU, sunburn isn't just short waves like in UVB rays or on the beach. Don't forget UVA rays, which contribute to aging and skin cancer. UVA rays can reach you even if you are indoors.

UVA rays have a longer wavelength than UVB rays. Not only can penetrate the skin deeper to break down collagen and elastin. Light that can penetrate clouds and windows, can cause wrinkling of the skin.

Loretta Ciraldo, MD., a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami says that you don't need sunscreen indoors. But must apply it in the morning. The advice, use skincare products that contain SPF every morning. Because during daily activities you may get 'accidental sun rays'.

Illustration of the need to wear sunscreen or sunscreen when doing activities indoors (iStockphoto)

Besides needing to protect the skin from UV rays, there are other types of light that can trigger damage to the skin. These include artificial light, blue light from electronic devices and HEV rays or high-energy light. This type of light does not cause stinging like sunlight, but it can cause other damage. Even with LED light, after taking photos, free radical activity will transfer to the skin. this can damage cells, according to a study published in the Journal Of Biomedical Physics & Engineering in 2018.

What's more, according to Ciraldo's exposure, sunlight contains visible and invisible light. Both injure the skin causing significantly more redness, swelling, and hyperpigmentation than the amount of UVA from the sun. In addition, HEV rays from computers, cell phones, and other devices each emit a different amount of light. Although it emits less HEV it depends on how long you are in front of the device.

From the explanation above, Hale still recommends applying sunscreen with a 'broad spectrum' label. This indicates that the sunscreen can block the skin from being exposed to UVA and UVB rays. And again, apply to the skin of the face, neck, back of the hands, and the skin area between the neck and breasts.

For better protection, apply an antioxidant serum before sunscreen. The goal is to help block free radical damage.