Dermatologist Francisco Vizcaíno stresses a concept that, as he warns, continues to be misinterpreted in facial care routines: sun protection cannot be limited to the face if the goal is to prevent spots and pigment disorders such as melasma. In his explanations and videos on social media, he emphasizes that the skin responds to radiation in a global manner, not by isolated zones, which obliges us to rethink several widely adopted habits.
1. The Double Photoprotection Strategy
Vizcaíno presents as the first pillar what he calls the double photoprotection strategy. It consists of applying a first layer of fragrance-free sunscreen in a sufficient amount, a step aimed at guaranteeing uniform and stable coverage across all exposed skin. On this base, he recommends adding a second tinted photoprotector, which helps reinforce protection against visible light, a factor that dermatological research has identified as relevant to facial hyperpigmentation. This approach, the specialist explains, not only improves defense against ultraviolet radiation, but also broadens the protection spectrum to other wavelengths involved in the worsening of dark spots.
2. Vitamin C and Retinol During Periods of Sun
The second tip centers on the continued use of cosmetic actives such as vitamin C and retinol, even in months of greater sun exposure, always with guidelines tailored to each skin type. Vizcaíno argues that removing them during summer is a common error. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, helping to neutralize free radicals generated by solar radiation, while retinol contributes to cellular renewal and to the regulation of melanin production. Together, these actives help keep the skin more stable against the stimuli that trigger the appearance of dark spots.
In fact, Ampy González Fontana, an expert in aesthetic medicine, recommends using it because it helps to reduce blemishes, brighten the skin, and protect it from the sun. It should always be applied before the photoprotector. In the case of retinol, it can also be incorporated, but with caution, using gentle formulations, alternating days, and remembering to keep the skin well hydrated. Wearing sunscreen every time is essential.
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3. Sun on the Body Also Influences the Face
The third point is the most forceful and the one that generates the most debate. The dermatologist stresses that protecting only the face is not enough, since sun exposure on the rest of the body can activate biological processes related to pigmentation that ultimately also affect the face. This statement is supported by the current understanding of the skin as an interconnected organ, where ultraviolet radiation triggers systemic responses. The activation of mediators such as melanocyte-stimulating hormone can favor pigment production even in areas not directly exposed.
Various studies published in journals such as Journal of Investigative Dermatology and British Journal of Dermatology have documented that UV radiation does not yield only a localized effect. The skin responds by releasing inflammatory mediators and hormonal signals that can influence global pigmentation, i.e., throughout the body.
In this same line, the randomized clinical trial by Castanedo-Cázares and colleagues, published in Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine in 2014 under the title Near-visible light and UV photoprotection in the treatment of melasma, compared different photoprotection strategies in patients with melasma. The results showed that the use of broad-spectrum photoprotectors, capable of blocking both ultraviolet radiation and visible light through filters such as iron oxides, achieved a significantly greater improvement in melasma, with larger reductions in the severity of spots compared to conventional protectors focused only on UV.
The conclusion reached by the expert and what he always recommends to his patients is that the prevention of pigmentation does not depend on isolated gestures, but on a continuous and global strategy. Partial protection, focused only on the face, leaves out biological mechanisms that can remain active on the rest of the body.
