Orange County Register

One of a series of posts based on July 22’s online “In Your Face CHAT” with Dr. Christopher Zachary, chairman of the UCI Department of Dermatology.

TAKING CARE OF YOUR SKIN

Sunblock is important to avoid skin damage, but isn’t needed 24-7, says dermatologist Dr. Christopher Zachary. He added, “This view will probably have me crucified by some of my colleagues.”

“I believe that some sunshine is good for you,” Zachary said, so the idea of going outside without sunblock before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. “would be entirely reasonable.”

He made the comments during the online “In Your Face CHAT” on July 22. His view contrasts with the stance of two other local dermatologists who appeared on previous online chats.

Dermatologist Dr. Vince Afsahi of Tustin and Newport Beach said people should apply sunscreen routinely every morning, even if they’re not planning to leave the house.

Dermatologist Dr. Renee Cobos of Fullerton said people should always wear sunscreen of SPF 55 or higher whenever they go outside, even just to pick up the mail.

Zachary admitted, “I don’t practice what I preach ….. So with that disclosure, yes, I would use sunblock every day. …. We all go out for short periods and it only takes about 20 seconds to activate melanocytes” that cause skin to darken.

Below is an edited transcript of the portion of Zachary’s “In Your Face CHAT” related to preventing skin  damage.

Related links:

• Use sunscreen even if you don’t plan to go outside?
• You need sunscreen whenever you’re outside, skin doc says
• The shade myth
• Sunscreen, the world’s best beauty product

More about “In Your Face CHATs”:

• Schedule of future chats
• Links to previous chats

TRANSCRIPT

Question from reader Susan: I am a 32-year-old female, what daily steps should I be taking to avoid sagging skin and wrinkles?

Dr. Christopher Zachary: Retinoids, moisturization, are the mainstay. However the newer lasers like Fractionated Repair will probably reduce the need for facelift tightening in the future. We are moving away from ‘tightening’ and more into restoring normal collagen and elastin.

And of course, we are always working on new laser systems …. you should see my left arm which is a testing zone for new laser systems ….

Sunblock is essential to prevent photoaging …

In Your Face: Are you in the camp of doctors who say to apply sunblock daily, even if you don’t expect you’ll be going outside?

Dr. Christopher Zachary: I don’t practice what I preach ….. So with that disclosure, yes, I would use sunblock every day …. We all go out for short periods and it only takes about 20 seconds to activate melanocytes …. but I also believe that some sunshine is good for you.

There is a huge debate about Vitamin D and sunshine .. The evidence is that we should all take vitamin D supplements daily …. I don’t …

Question from reader Shoegal: Re: Vitamin D and sunshine….. would you say going outside without sunblock before 9 am or after 5 pm might be useful and not dangerous with regard to Vitamin D?

Dr. Christopher Zachary: Shoegal, I have to say that I think this would be entirely reasonable …. But this view will probably have me crucified by some of my colleagues .
However, no point not being outspoken if that’s your trademark …

(Read the full, gently edited transcript of Zachary’s “In Your Face CHAT” HERE.)

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