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NBC News
20-05-2025
- Health
- NBC News
Yes, you need sunscreen on your scalp regardless of hair coverage — here are the best ones to shop
You probably know that you should lather sunscreen on both your face and body, but you might be missing one crucial spot: the top of your head. The scalp is a high risk area when it comes to sun exposure — and if damage like skin cancer is found on the scalp, it can be a tricky area to treat, says Dr. Claire Wolinsky, a board-certified dermatologist at Spring Street Dermatology in New York City. 'Studies have shown that hair provides very little protection for your scalp, regardless of hair color,' says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green. 'If there's no hair on the scalp, it's extra important to protect it with sunscreen or a UV-protective hat.' To help you narrow down the best scalp SPF for you, we consulted dermatologists about how to shop for the right scalp sunscreen and how to best protect your head from harmful UV rays. How we picked the best scalp sunscreens When shopping for scalp sunscreens, our experts recommend you consider the following factors: Type: There are two types of sunscreens: mineral and chemical. Mineral sunscreens sit on the surface of your skin and reflect the UV light by using zinc oxide and titanium oxide as active ingredients. Chemical sunscreens absorb UV light with one or a combination of six chemical filters, according to our experts. SPF Protection: In order to properly protect the skin, the sunscreen should have at least an SPF 30 rating, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Formulation: Sunscreens come in different forms, including lotions, sprays, oils, powders and sticks. However, for the scalp, certain formulations work better than others depending on whether you have hair or not. For those with no hair, a sunscreen lotion would protect the scalp best, while a spray or powder might be better for those with hair. The best scalp sunscreens Below, we compiled dermatologist-recommended scalp sunscreens as well as some highly rated ones to keep your scalp protected from UV rays. All of the products we list have a minimum SPF 30 rating in line with our experts' guidance. This sunscreen is great for both face and scalp coverage, and it has the added benefit of correcting sun damage, including sun spots, says Dr. Jamie DeRosa, a double board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon. Not only does it protect the skin from UV rays, but it also has ingredients like squalane to restore moisture in the skin and antioxidants, including vitamins C and E, to help prevent free radical damage, too, says DeRosa. If you're looking to protect your scalp without making your hair greasy, you may prefer a powder formulation. This Supergoop Poof Part Powder comes recommended by both DeRosa and Green because it has silica to absorb excess oil on the scalp and vitamin C to protect the skin from damage caused by UV radiation. Apply the product two inches away from your scalp and blend it into your skin using a hairbrush or your fingertips, much like you would a dry shampoo, according to the brand. This spray sunscreen has a narrow nozzle at the top that makes it easy to apply the product on specific areas of the scalp, says Wolinksy. The broad-spectrum and water-resistant mist is suitable for all skin types because it's noncomedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores, according to the brand. The best way to apply this sunscreen is by spraying it 4-6 inches away from the scalp and evenly spreading out the product using your fingertips, according to Sun Bum. This is our favorite expert-recommended sunscreen stick because it's easy to apply, glides well onto the skin and goes on clear, so you won't have to worry about an unsightly residue on your scalp. Its small size is great to take on the go when you're on vacation or strolling outside, plus it's sweat- and water-resistant. Coola's scalp and hair spray has a non-greasy formula and SPF 30 that protects your scalp without weighing your hair down, according to the brand. With hair protection in mind, this sunscreen prevents UV-related hair color fading, moisturizes the hair and improves your overall scalp health with ingredients like monoi oil, panthenol and gotu kola extract, according to Coola. It has a 4.4-star average rating from over 3,800 reviews on Amazon. If you're worried about your sunscreen leaving a white cast on your hair and scalp, consider this tinted sunscreen powder, which earned a spot in our guide to the best sunscreen for darker skin tones. Its broad-spectrum coverage can help protect against UV rays, infrared rays and high-energy visible light (blue light), experts say. It's available in four shades — fair, medium, tan and deep — and you can dust it over your part and head or use it to touch-up your face makeup throughout the day, according to the brand. This Oars and Alps spray, which has a 4.3-star average rating from over 200 reviews on Amazon, has cucumber and aloe to hydrate your scalp and prevent sun exposure from drying out your skin, according to the brand. Plus, it comes in a small travel-sized bottle, so you can easily take it on the go. What to look for in a scalp sunscreen When shopping for a scalp sunscreen, choose one that will block both UVA and UVB rays to maximize protection, according to our experts. Below, we list some other factors to consider when it comes to deciding which scalp sunscreen is best for you. Mineral vs. chemical sunscreen Choosing between a mineral or chemical sunscreen is based on personal preference, according to Wolinsky. Mineral sunscreens, also known as physical sunscreens, will have zinc oxide, titanium oxide or both as their active ingredients. These sunscreens are great for sensitive skin, but can leave a white cast on dark skin tones or on dark hair, depending on their formula, Wolinsky says. Chemical sunscreens have one (or a combination) of six chemical filters: oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate. Hair density For some people, the scalp may be covered by hair, while others will have a completely exposed scalp. The density of your hair may impact which type of sunscreen you need. If you have no hair covering the scalp, a cream or lotion sunscreen is the best option since it provides the most protection, and there is no worry about potentially making your hair greasy, according to experts. If you have thinner hair, you may want to consider a spray since it's the most comfortable and easiest to use, says Wolinsky. However, you can also apply a cream or lotion if it's possible for you to access your scalp without getting your hair greasy, says Wolinsky. For those with long or thick hair, you may be a bit more limited on where you can apply sunscreen since a majority of the scalp will be covered (though it's still important to apply sunscreen regardless of your hair density). You should apply sunscreen to any exposed areas, including where your part lines are. Skin type Factoring in your skin type will help you determine which scalp sunscreen will be the best option for you. If you have oily and acne-prone skin, you may want to consider a lightweight formula when possible to avoid possible scalp breakouts, also known as folliculitis. Sensitive skin might want to avoid common irritants like fragrances, too, says Wolinsky. If you have sensitive skin, you should also consider a mineral sunscreen since chemical filters can be irritating, experts say. Meet our experts At Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest. Dr. Claire Wolinsky is a board-certified dermatologist at Spring Street Dermatology in New York City. Her areas of expertise include medical dermatology, including acne and rosacea, as well as cosmetic dermatology, such as lasers and injectables. Dr. Michele Green is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at her own private practice in New York City. Her areas of expertise include skin cancer, skin disorders, non-surgical neck lifts, body contouring and more. Dr. Eileen Deignan is a board-certified dermatologist and chief of dermatology at Emerson Hospital. Her area of expertise lies in medical dermatology. Dr. Jaimie DeRosa is a double board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon and founder of the DeRosa Center Facial Plastic Surgery & Med Spa in Boston. She also is an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and Boston University School of Medicine. Her area of expertise includes both surgical and nonsurgical treatments. Why trust NBC Select? Justin Krajeski is a former associate editor for NBC Select. For this piece, Justin interviewed three dermatologists and highlighted their recommendations as well as other scalp sunscreens that are in line with their recommendations. Bianca Alvarez is a former associate reporter who covered beauty and skin care. For this piece, she interviewed a dermatologist and researched scalp sunscreens that are in line with expert guidance.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
A Dermatologist Reveals If Pimple Patches Actually Work — And The Truth May Surprise You
Lately, it's not uncommon to see a curious new bit of bric-a-brac adorning the faces of Gen Z-ers: pimple patches. In the past, it would've been hard to imagine wanting to draw attention to your zits. But these baby bandages, which come in a wide variety of styles for every skin type, are suddenly all the rage. So do they actually work? That's what we — Raj Punjabi and Noah Michelson, the co-hosts of HuffPost's 'Am I Doing It Wrong?' podcast — asked Dr. Kunal Malik, board-certified dermatologist at Spring Street Dermatology in New York City, when he recently dropped by our studio. Listen to the full episode here: 'Even a couple of years ago people were embarrassed to walk out with a pimple patch and I think with the current generation, they have all of these fun colors and shapes,' Malik told us. 'People are just more accepting of it and they're like open about it, which I think is incredibly destigmatizing.' The main purpose of the patches is to help heal blemishes while a providing physical barrier that keeps them safe from dirty hands and other potentially bacteria-laden items. 'From a scientific perspective, they absolutely do work,' Malik said. The ones that offer the best results are hydrocolloid bandages. 'Basically, what they're doing is they're kind of drawing out or sucking up the debris in that pimple, and they're shielding it from the environment,' he said. They also provide 'a physical barrier from picking at it,' which is key, as Malik says popping your pimples is the last thing you want to do. 'I know that's like the human psychology response — just squeeze it, right? But that's terrible,' he said, and can actually drive the infection deeper into the skin. 'I live in the real world — I know people will do it despite me telling people not to do it all day long — but pimple patches are a great way to protect the pimple.' They can also deliver targeted acne-fighting medication like salicylic acid directly to the blemish. However, Malik warned us to go easy on our skin. 'Sometimes less is more — that's what I always preach to my patients,' he said. 'You really want to fine-tune and be intentional with your skin care and not overdo it, because there is this phenomenon of causing too much inflammation with aggressive treatments.' Once that happens, you're being 'counterproductive' and 'not really treating the acne, but causing more damage.' So wash your face with a gentle cleanser, slap a pimple patch on your zit, and let it do its thing. You can make a stylish statement — and refuse to feel ashamed of experiencing a totally normal part of being a human being with skin. We also chat with Malik about whether or not chocolate really causes acne, home remedies that do more harm than good and lots more. After you've had a listen to the full episode above or wherever you get your podcasts, subscribe to 'Am I Doing It Wrong?' so you don't miss a single episode, including how to score the best deals on airline tickets, how to find love online or overcome anxiety, tips for online shopping, taking care of your teeth and pooping like a pro, secrets to booking and staying in a hotel, how to deal with an angry person, shocking laundry secrets, ways to experience more awe and wonder in your life, taking your best shower ever, protecting your privacy online, and much more. For more from Malik, visit his website and his Instagram. Need some help with something you might be doing wrong? Email us at AmIDoingItWrong@ and we may investigate the topic in an upcoming episode. Scientists Asked People To Do 1 Thing Differently While Taking A Walk. The Results Were Astounding. Experts Say You Don't Actually Need To Wash This Part Of Your Body In The Shower — Do You Agree? Here's What You Should Know Before Having Sex In Front Of Your Dog
