Indoor Sun Damage Is Real: Why Dermatologists Recommend Sunscreen at Home

Applying sunscreen is a must if you want to protect yourself from the sun’s UV rays. Most people think that they only need to apply sunscreen when they go outside, but this is a common misconception.

Do you ever notice that your skin is tanning or has darker spots and lines, even if you are not stepping out of your house? This could be because you are not applying sunscreen at home. Let’s see how important it is to apply it at home.

There are two main types of sun rays: UVA and UVB.

• UVB rays cause skin burns, but they cannot penetrate glass. Therefore, you don't get sunburn indoors.
• UVA rays are more dangerous because they can easily penetrate clouds and window glass. These rays penetrate deep into the skin and damage collagen.

So, if you sit in a place at home that receives light from a window, your skin is constantly exposed to UVA rays. This increases the risk of dark spots and wrinkles.

Today, we are exposed to a lot of screen time on our smartphones, laptops, and TVs. All these emit blue light, which is a high-energy visible light. Prolonged exposure to such light increases oxidative stress on our skin. This can cause an uneven skin tone and pigmentation. So, it is very important to apply sunscreen even if we are at home.

You don't need to use heavy or sticky sunscreen indoors. You can keep these things in mind:

• SPF 30 - Use sunscreen with at least SPF 30 even indoors.
• Broad spectrum - Check that your sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
• Lightweight formula - Gel or lotion-based sunscreens are best for home application because they are lightweight.