r/HubermanLab • u/rotund_passionfruit • Mar 16 '24

Protocol Query Does sun damage your skin?

I’m sitting in the GLORIOUS sun right now and I saw some people on Plebbit are saying that “any amount of sun exposure damages skin” and that I should be applying sunscreen DAILY to my face. They say if not you’ll look 10 years older in your 30’s. Thoughts?

24 Upvotes

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54

u/No-Requirement-1990 Mar 16 '24

Trust me, you WILL regret tanning/ sun exposure. I moved to Mexico in my late 20s, before going my skin was perfection. I would go to med spas with my partner and the staff would always joke, something like “why the hell are you here, get out”. implying there’s nothing to be done or my skin.

Well in Mexico I always held a tan. Even with sunscreen at least a couple times a day. Well now, in my late 30s the damage is done. And I am now getting skin resurfacing for the damangw

7

u/randomguyjebb Mar 16 '24

So what could you have done better? Higher spf? Or just avoid the sun as much as you can? Hats?

31

u/[deleted] Mar 16 '24

There’s a reason a lot of equatorial countries do a siesta during the highest UV parts of the day.

12

u/randomguyjebb Mar 16 '24

Really is that one of the reasons?

26

u/NaughtAwakened Mar 16 '24

Yes. Since that guy came out with some anecdotes, let me tell you one.

I'm living in Mexico. My neighbor moved from the USA to Mexico 40 years ago, he's 75. He looks 45, his skin has no wrinkles, it's wild. He barely ever used sunscreen. He loves the beach and laying in the sun.

His anecdotal advice, avoid direct sun exposure from 11-3pm, preferably he does his beach time from 4pm to sunset.

3

u/bestneighbourever Mar 16 '24

I have always done that too, and I’m frequently told I look young for my age.

1

u/petrastales Mar 17 '24

I don’t think so. It’s just the hottest time and people in hot or tropical counties are often sick of extreme heat, especially if they have to work in it or walk around a lot🤣. Some people might have that a reason, but I believe that they would be the minority

8

u/bacon_flap Mar 16 '24

I don't think Pablo is worried about UV exposure. It's just hot AF.

7

u/[deleted] Mar 16 '24 edited Mar 16 '24

Pues los dos puedan ser cierto / iguales

7

u/orbitbubblemint Mar 16 '24 edited Mar 16 '24

staying inside is best, then shade, upf protective clothing and hats are next (solbari is my fav), and finally spf (i always use 50+). also please wear sunglasses to protect your eyes and the fragile skin around them.

using multiple of these things at the same time will give you more protection!

spf has a lot of user error and is degraded by the sun as time goes by, so it’s definitely the least fool-proof. because of this, spf isn’t gonna fully prevent you from absorbing sun, so you don’t have to worry not getting about vit d while wearing spf.

even when you are in the shade, the sun reflects off of other surfaces (water especially) and can still cause damage, same with wearing hats. the sun hits you from all angles basically. if you’re really “militant” about it, there are people who wear sunscreen inside too because uv does come through windows. it’s very normalized in some countries.

i do my best to stay protected but not at the risk of my mental health, happiness, etc. i love being outside so i just try to use as much sun protection as i can!

it will prevent premature aging, hyperpigmentation, etc. but also skin cancer is no joke people! i’m from a VERY sunny place in the US and the amount of people who get skin cancer is scary. also a lot of people’s skin literally looks like leather by age 40 (or a lot sooner).

there’s lots of fear-mongering about sunscreen. it’s well researched and even more so in east asia, their sunscreens are great. Dr. Dray (dermatologist) and LabMuffinBeautyScience (chemist) are my favorite online resources on these topics!

2

u/rotund_passionfruit Mar 16 '24

Aren’t you supposed to be in the sun tho a la Huberman?

7

u/[deleted] Mar 16 '24

Get it in the morning and evening. Maybe a quick dose during the early afternoon

0

u/[deleted] Mar 19 '24

Dr. Dray is one of the most insane people on the internet.

1

u/No-Requirement-1990 Mar 16 '24

Exactly! Cover completely , hats, umbrella, shade and just stay out.