Dermatologist Elif Topcu urges year‑round sunscreen use to prevent DNA damage

Dr. Elif Topcu, associate professor at Istanbul Beykent University Hospital’s Dermatology Department, warned that ultraviolet A and B radiation reaches the skin throughout the year, not just in summer. She advised that sunscreen be applied even on cloudy days and in winter, especially for people with dermatological conditions, children, and pregnant women.

Topcu recommends SPF 30 for winter protection and SPF 50 or higher for summer, emphasizing the importance of using approved, standardized products in the correct amount. She highlighted mineral (physical) filters containing titanium dioxide or zinc oxide as offering the best protection, noting that regulations by the FDA and the European Union now set maximum concentrations for both mineral and chemical filters. She also cautioned against the summer use of retinoic‑acid‑containing products without medical guidance and suggested pairing sunscreen with antioxidant‑rich skin care such as vitamin C serum.

The dermatologist concluded that regular sunscreen use is crucial not just to avoid sunburn but also to prevent DNA damage and related skin diseases.