Sunscreen vs sunblock—which is better for protecting your skin after dermal fillers? Sun exposure can accelerate aging, increase bruising, and break down fillers faster. Selecting the right sun protection is key to maintaining your results and keeping your skin healthy. In this guide, we’ll break down the differences, dermatologist recommendations, and the best way to apply sun protection post-filler for optimal effectiveness.
Sunscreen vs sunblock
Sunscreen differs from sunblock in how it works to protect you from the sun. You may find both in one product or separately in two products.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen (also known as chemical sunscreen) protects you from the sun’s rays chemically by penetrating the skin and absorbing UV rays, preventing these rays from reaching the skin and causing damage. It usually includes oxybenzone and avobenzone. Sunscreen formulas may contain other chemicals, fragrances, or insect repellents.
Sunblock
Sunblock (also called physical or mineral sunscreen) acts as a barrier or mirror that reflects the sun’s rays off your skin, preventing them from penetrating. It is opaque and leaves a white cast on the skin. It usually includes zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
Which is Better Sunblock or Sunscreen for Dermal Filler Aftercare?
Sun protection after dermal filler treatments is crucial to ensure proper healing and maintain the longevity of the results. Both sunscreen and sunblock provide excellent sun protection; however, no guideline recommends using one over the other. The choice may vary according to your skin type and condition.
Sunscreen vs sunblock: what is the difference?
Sunblock (mineral or physical sunscreen) may be more beneficial for sensitive skin as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are well-tolerated. They are also found in children’s products.
Sunscreen (chemical sunscreen) often contains preservatives, fragrances, and oxybenzone or para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), which may further aggravate skin sensitivity in individuals with allergies, rosacea, or other skin conditions.
Choosing the best sun protection for dermal fillers aftercare
Dermal filler injections may cause bruising and swelling, making your skin more sensitive until healing is complete. Therefore, you should consider your skin’s sensitivity when choosing a sun protection product in your aftercare routine.
You may wonder which is better, sunblock or sunscreen, after dermal filler injections; sunblocks (mineral or physical sunscreens) are preferred as they are gentle, well-tolerated, and suitable for sensitive or post-procedure skin.
Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in sunblock have anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties, help protect against sunburn, and act as effective mineral or physical sunscreens. Zinc oxide is more effective at protecting against UVA rays, while titanium dioxide is better at protecting against UVB rays. The combination of the two provides a broad-spectrum sunblock.
How UV Exposure Affects Dermal Fillers
UV exposure is more serious than you think; it may lead to skin cancer, according to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), the majority of skin cancers are caused by excessive ultraviolet (UV) light exposure.
Sunscreen can protect you against the most common types of skin cancers, including melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma.
UV exposure causes sunburn, and with frequent exposure, your skin weakens and bruises easily, which exacerbates bruising after a filler injection.
Sun exposure is responsible for about 80% of facial aging signs, such as wrinkles, pigmentation, reduced skin elasticity, and texture deterioration.
UV exposure significantly affects the longevity and results of dermal fillers. It accelerates the degradation of hyaluronic acid (a key ingredient in many dermal fillers). This degradation causes the filler to break down and impairs the results. Sun exposure also causes skin inflammation and induces oxidative stress, which negatively impacts the integrity of dermal fillers.
Using sunblock after a dermal filler injection is an important step in your dermal filler aftercare routine to preserve the desired results.
Sunblock Vs Sunscreen Dermatologist Tips for Optimal Sun Protection After Fillers
Whether you choose sunscreen or sunblock in your skincare routine, you should follow these criteria to achieve optimal sun protection from the product you use:
- Choose a product with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher, regardless of whether it’s a sunblock or sunscreen.
- Opt for a broad-spectrum protection that covers UVA and UVB rays.
- Select sweat and water-resistant sunscreens, as these products are effective for at least 40 minutes in water.
- Use hypoallergenic products that don’t contain fragrances or other allergenic ingredients.
Sunblock vs Sunscreen for Daily Use for Filler Aftercare: Sun Protection Steps
Wearing sunblock or a hypoallergenic sunscreen as a part of your daily routine after receiving dermal filler treatment is crucial for maintaining the desired outcomes and prolonging their effects.
Steps for proper application of sun protection post-filler
Using sunblock or a hypoallergenic sunscreen properly ensures optimal sun protection without harming your skin, follow these steps to achieve maximum protection and maintain the longevity of your filler:
- After receiving a filler treatment, allow your skin time to heal; wait at least 24 hours before applying sun protection.
- Choose the right product as previously mentioned.
- Apply a teaspoonful of the product to your face gently, without massaging vigorously, to avoid filler displacement.
- Reapply sun protection every two hours to maintain UV protection.
- Use additional protective measures, such as wearing sunglasses and a hat.
- Avoid direct sun exposure, especially during the period when UV rays are at their highest intensity, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Are Sunscreens Harmful?
Chemical sunscreens containing oxybenzone may cause allergic reactions, these reactions are not common.
There is a study suggesting that oxybenzone may cause hormonal disruption, but this study was conducted on mice that ingested oxybenzone orally. It has been estimated that a person would need to use topical sunscreen containing oxybenzone for approximately 277 years to experience a similar effect.
Therefore, you can use sunscreen containing oxybenzone if you are not allergic to it.
Sunscreen blocks UVB rays, which are essential for vitamin D production in the skin. However, you shouldn’t stop wearing it as it prevents the other dangerous effects of sun exposure, as previously mentioned. Ask your doctor to recommend a vitamin D supplement.
Common sunscreen mistakes that may harm your skin
Sunscreens have no proven harm to the skin but you may use sunscreen and harm your skin if you:
- Staying out in the sun longer while wearing sunscreen is a misconception that can actually increase the risk of skin cancer.
- Applying sunscreen only to the face and neglecting the hands and other areas that are uncovered by clothing.
- Going outdoors immediately after applying sunscreen; you should wait at least 15 minutes to ensure complete absorption and protection.
- Using an insufficient amount of sunscreen, which doesn’t offer enough protection; you should apply a teaspoonful to your face.
- Skipping reapplication every two hours or after water exposure due to sweating or swimming can reduce protection and lead to sunburn.
Protecting your skin after fillers isn’t just about sunscreen vs sunblock—it’s about using them correctly. For the best defense, use broad-spectrum, SPF 30+ protection, reapply it every two hours, and wear hats and sunglasses. Your efforts can be undone by little errors like applying too little or failing to reapply. Make sun protection a habit, and your skin and fillers will stay radiant and long-lasting. Get started today!
Resources
https://www.healthline.com/health/sunscreen-vs-sunblock#sunscreen-or-sunblock
https://www.verywellhealth.com/sunscreen-or-sunblock-514381#toc-choosing-between-sunscreen-vs-sunblock
https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection/shade-clothing-sunscreen/choosing-right-sunscreen?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3781714/
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-science-of-sunscreen
https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection/shade-clothing-sunscreen/how-to-apply-sunscreen
https://www.oaepublish.com/articles/2347-9264.2024.119?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection/shade-clothing-sunscreen/how-to-select-sunscreen
https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB09536