Dr. Alex's Blog: My Makeup Has Sunscreen in It

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

My Makeup Has Sunscreen in It

One of the most common comments I hear from patients is "I don't use sunscreen because my makeup has sunscreen in it." Sometimes people don't use sunscreen because it is in their moisturizer. And some don't use it because they do not like the way it feels. I recommend daily use of sunscreen, whether it is sunny or raining, hot or cold, winter or summer, and whether or not you are outside. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, sunscreen should have a minimum SPF of 30 and it should have UVA and UVB (or broad spectrum) protection, which should be evident on the label. There are many different brands of sunscreen. Find one that feels comfortable and has a minimum SPF of 30 with UVA and UVB protection.

Both UVA and UVB can cause damage to the skin. The damage is seen as fine lines, textural irregularities, and laxity; signs of premature aging. Additionally, sun exposure can lead to pre-cancerous lesions called actinic keratoses as well as cancers such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. To prevent premature aging, pre-cancers, and cancers, daily sunscreen use is essential.

There are various components in sunscreens which contribute to the overall SPF value. However, they are not all additive and the association is not linear. For example if a moisturizer contains sunscreen at an SPF 15 and makeup contains sunscreen with SPF 15, the total SPF is not necessarily 30. This is why I recommend sunscreen to be included in everyone's skin care regimen even if other components such as moisturizer and makeup contain sunscreen. Sunscreen should be applied after moisturizer and before makeup. For an added boost, use daily topical antioxidants such as vitamin C. These antioxidants neutralize the residual damage that occurs to the skin even when sunscreen is used properly.

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Alex Eshaghian, MD, PhD was raised in Los Angeles, CA. He attended UCLA for college and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Biology in 1998. He received many accolades including Phi Beta Kappa, College Honors, Departmental Honors, Goldenkey International Honour Society, and Mortar Board National Honors Society.

In 2000, Dr. Alex moved to Nashville, TN to attend the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine’s distinguished Medical Scientist Training Program. With scholarships from the National Institutes of Health and the Canby Robinson Society, he graduated with an MD and a PhD. Dr. Alex completed his post-graduate training in Internal Medicine at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine in Albuquerque, NM. Dr. Alex has had clinical training in dermatology at Vanderbilt University, UC Irvine, USC, UCLA, University of New Mexico, Veteran’s Affairs Hospitals in Nashville, TN, Albuquerque, NM, Long Beach, CA, and Los Angeles, CA, as well as in various private clinics in southern California. He is also certified in the injection of Botulinum toxin and dermal fillers as well as in the use of lasers for cosmetic applications.

Dr. Alex has done research for over a decade. His interest in research was sparked early in college when he worked in a nephrology lab. He then spent four years in a molecular biology lab in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UCLA under the direction of Harold G. Martinson, PhD. His dissertation in graduate school was in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology in the laboratory of James E. Sligh, MD, PhD where he studied genetic factors involved in photo-aging of the skin and in non-melanoma skin cancer. He has given oral and poster presentations at numerous conferences including the American Academy of Dermatology, Society for Investigative Dermatology, and American Society for Human Genetics. He has publications in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Journal of Investigative Dermatology, Free Radical Biology and Medicine, and Cardiovascular Toxicology. He is also a contributing author for the Textbook of Aging Skin.

Dr. Alex has held a number of leadership positions including University of New Mexico School of Medicine Resident Voice committee member, Committee of Interns and Residents member, Dermatology Interest Group Association president and founding member, Executive Board member of Vanderbilt Hillel, Vanderbilt University MSTP Physician Scientist Speaker Series Committee member, Vanderbilt University Careers in Medicine Interest Group member, Vanderbilt University MSTP Student Advisory Committee member, and Vanderbilt University Dermatology Interest Group president. He has also participated in numerous service activities including Miles for Melanoma, Sun Protection Project, Camp Discovery, Links for Locks, and the Shade Tree Clinic.

At Alex Eshaghian Medical, Dr. Alex is translating his research in photo-aging to his clinical practice. His passion is to prevent signs of aging in the skin to make patients look and feel their best.