Do I Need to Wear Sunscreen If I Work Inside All Day?

A common question I get from my clients when I’m teaching them about the importance of wearing sunscreen is, “Do I really need to wear sunscreen if I’m inside at work all day?” Many of my clients tell me, “I go to work early and don’t come home until after dark so I don’t bother wearing sunscreen.” So should sunscreen be worn? The answer is yes, as long as your skin is exposed to daylight, even if coming through windows in your office.
There are two types of UV rays given off from the sun that you need to know about. 

UVA rays: responsible for changing the DNA in the skin causing premature skin aging and skin cancer, approximately the same strength from summer to winter and can penetrate through clouds, windows in your home, office or car. Simply put, these are the true damaging rays.
UVB Rays: responsible for giving the skin a suntan or sunburn, strongest from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm and less strong in the winter and does not penetrate through glass.

If you see the light of day when you are at work, then this daylight is also seeing your skin and causing unnecessary exposure that contributes to aging. Why get UV damage when you’re not even getting a tan for it?

Be sure to find a sunscreen compatible with your skin type and apply it generously 365 days a year, inside and out.

Here’s a test to determine if daylight is affecting your skin: Take note of where you are right now. Do you have any lights on, such as overhead lighting or lamps? If so, turn them off. Also turn off your computer or any other source of artificial light in the room to make it dark as possible. Now look around and observe your surroundings. Is it pitch black in the room? Can you see? Chances are it’s not because you have a window or skylight close by. This means daylight is surrounding you and if it is, it is affecting your skin and causing wrinkles.