As the chilly autumn air settles and hours of daylight grow shorter, people may underestimate the importance of sunscreen. But the fact is, a broadband SPF is needed to combat future skin damage year-round.

Statistics released by the Skin Cancer Foundation state that one in five Americans will be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer in their lifetime.St. Luke’s Chief of Dermatology, Dr. Joseph Zalaeonis Jr., has been working in the dermatology field for over 24 years and says the biggest skin issue he deals with is time spent unprotected under UV rays.“You can’t undo sun damage. The best way to prevent it is by using SPF 30 and sunglasses and clothing to avoid sun exposure. It’s easier to prevent than repair,” he said.Each year there are more new cases of skin cancer than breast, prostate, lung and colon cancer combined. The Skin Cancer Foundation estimates over the past three decades more people have had skin cancer than any other variety.Licensed aesthetician and owner of Saving Face in Lehighton, Diane Valenti, concurs with the doctor’s recommendation.“Everyone has had a great summer at the beach and picnics, but most people will have forgotten to bring sunscreen. Even with all the forewarnings about skin cancer and the education on bad melanomas, people still forget,” said Valenti.Coupled with the life-endangering side effects, unprotected sun exposure severely damages and ages the skin.Zalaeonis says sun damage is the worst issue he comes across in his patients.“It always was, but now the dermatology field is really taking notice,” he said.Along with time spent under the sun, the two biggest culprits leading to skin damage and premature aging are artificial tans and cigarettes.“Tanning beds are the worst thing you can possibly do, along with smoking. The nicotine and smoke causes blood flow to skin to be impeded and cause winkling,” he said.An estimated 90 percent of skin aging is caused by the sun. People who use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher on a regular basis show 24 percent less skin aging than those who do not use the product daily, according to the foundation’s reports.“The biggest mistake is not using (sunscreen). Younger people push it to the side, but a lot of sun damage happens before your 20s,” Valenti said.“We need to teach teenagers to use a good SPF. That’s the damage that shows up in your 30s and 40s. I see a lot of women who were serious sunbathers come in with a lot of hyperpigmentation,” said Valenti.So you forgot your SPF at home and enjoyed the salt water air at the beach or kayaked around the lake unprotected, now what?“Good aftercare for sunburn or when the skin is dried out and peeling is to use mild soap-free cleanser and a good moisturizer on a daily basis,” said Zalaeonis. “Avoid anything with added fragrance. That will be irritating.”The doctor also said not to prolong time in the shower with hot water and to apply that moisturizer while your skin is still damp.While sun damage cannot be reversed, there are a few things that can be taken to minimize the effects.“We can’t correct it, but we can take positive steps to get the skin back on track going from summer to fall,” said Valenti.The number one thing to do, said Valenti, is to get serious about skin care.“The best thing is to get into a routine and use sunscreen. Now is the time to see a professional — either a dermatologist or licensed aesthetician,” she said.“Go to someone who will treat the skin with mild exfoliating enzymes or glycolic and salicylic acid peels. Those ingredients will remove layers of dead skin to help get rid of the hyperpigmentation caused by sun damage,” she said.“A topical vitamin C will help encourage cell turnover along with retinol for collagen production. Those topicals will help with the appearance of sun damage and wrinkles.”Both the doctor and aesthetician are reluctant to endorse any over-the-counter product without seeking professional advice first.“The three biggest components that affect the skin are stress, hormones and environmental. When the skin is out of balance then there are issues,” Valenti said.“Regular over-the-counter products lack a strong dose of ingredients needed.”Both are in agreement that men and women need a good broad spectrum SPF 30 throughout the year.“Even in the fall and winter you are still getting rays from the sun through car windows, and skiing you get a double whammy from the sun and reflection on the snow,” said Valenti.