Q Do I really need to apply sunscreen on cloudy days or indoors?
A On cloudy days, 80% of UVA still passes through clouds, so sunscreen is necessary regardless of weather. Indoors, UVA can penetrate glass and cause skin aging. Choose a product with both SPF (UVB protection) and PA (PPD index) ratings for UVA protection.
Detailed Answer
UVB is the main cause of sunburn and skin cancer, while UVA penetrates to the dermis causing collagen breakdown, wrinkles, and pigmentation. On cloudy days over 80% of UVA passes through, and most passes through ordinary glass. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen labeled SPF (UVB) + PA++ (UVA) 30 minutes before going out, and reapply every 2–3 hours.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
Korean medicine views UV-induced pigmentation as Blood-Heat (血熱) and Blood-Stasis (血瘀). While preventing UV damage primarily with sunscreen, a dual approach using herbal ingredients such as Millettia (白花藤), Mulberry root bark (桑白皮), and Motherwort (益母草) to internally improve existing pigmentation is recommended.
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