With all the hand washing requirements for preventing the spread of the Coronavirus what are some of your essential skincare practices for hands?
This was just one of a handful of questions I had prepared for an upcoming Instagram live hosted by Oakland based McMullen boutique and SkinSpirit day spa. Along with this question I texted several others to my sister in case I was unable to attend the live Q&A
After a bit of back and forth my sister’s final text concluded with “Make sure you’re wearing a sunscreen, even indoors”. Although my kneejerk response was to quick-reply with the double exclamation points emoji, I thought better of it.
Because you see my big sister is a medical aesthetician at Skinspirit, and an expert in her field. When people comment on how nice my skin looks and how young I look (for my age) I always shout her out. (Instagram: @erikkaeasterling).
You can watch her in action on my IGTV video linked at the end of this post where she demonstrates Dermaplaning and Microdermabrasion on yours truly.
To understand why sunscreen indoors while #WFH elicited those final words of advice, I went down the rabbithole of the Skinspirit blog. When I resurfaced here’s what I learnt about indoor sunscreen and skincare practices for your hands during and after the virus:
How to Properly Care for Your Hands:
- Choose plain soap over antibacterial soap which could have negative effects on your health as well as the environment,
- Use a nail brush to further release dirt and biofilms,
- Don’t share towels that could transfer germs,
- Belt it out; singing the birthday song from beginning to end twice will ensure you’ve done a thorough job,
- Moisturize by rubbing the backs of both hands together. This is a favorite of mine. I can’t stand greasy palms after applying hand cream, that I immediately run to the sink to wash off!
- Top off with a good sunscreen. I’m trying Handscreen SPF40 by Supergoop!
Photoaging in the form of wrinkles, brownspots and leathery skin can show up on the hands according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. It’s not rocket science that sunscreen is one of the essential skincare practices for hands.
Why Should I Wear Sunscreen Indoors?
While most sunscreens guard agains harmful UV rays which we are exposed to outdoors, did you know that we are exposed to harmful UVA rays indoors?
That’s because windows block UVB rays but not UVA rays which can penetrate further into the skin. And since we are social distancing and therefor indoors longer than usual as we work from home, sitting near a window is important therapy for those long quiet work days.
I’m trying SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 35. Also SkinMedica sunscreens use a micronized zinc oxide which is more sheer. Hello WOC – sunscreen that turns us white or purple, “we don’t like that”. Another benefit, SkinMedica’s sunscreens have the highest PA rating.
What is a PA rating?
PA, short for “protection Grade of UVA”, is the rating system for sunscreens that protect against UVA rays. Whereas SPF stands for Sun Protection factor which guards against UVB rays.
Unlike SPF which is measured in PA is measured in plus + signs.
+ = Some UVA protection, ++ = Moderate UVA protection, +++ = High UVA protection, ++++ = Extremely High UVA protection
Lastly you will see some sunscreens that are labeled “Broad Spectrum” Broad spectrum sunscreen protect against UVA and UVB rays.
Which is great because this means you do not need to buy 2 different types of sunscreen.
Resources:
Read: What does the PA Sunscreen Rating Even Mean? https://thebrightside.supergoop.com/pa-sunscreen-rating-system/
Skinspirit’s Handwashing Tips for Clean Soft Skin: https://www.skinspirit.com/blog/hand-washing-tips-for-clean-soft-skin/
Watch: My Skinspirit IGTV video – Trying Microdermabrasion and Dermaplaning, filmed just days before the quarantine
image caption – My hands today and 32 years ago (actually by daughter’s hands which are 32 years younger than mine!) I can’t help but wonder what my hands would have looked like today had I started wearing handscreen
