'Squid Game' star Lee Jung-jae shares skin care advice
Actor Lee Jung-jae appears on his agency Artist Company’s YouTube channel with his skincare knowhow. Captured from YouTube
Actor stresses importance of daily sunscreen application to guard against dark spots
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Actor Lee Jung-jae recently revealed that he makes a point of applying sunscreen because he is still recovering from a skin condition.
In a recent video posted on his agency Artist Company’s YouTube channel, Lee was shown getting ready for a scheduled engagement. He had just finished showering at a hotel when a camera suddenly approached him, catching him off guard. “I haven’t even properly dried my hair yet,” he said as he hurriedly tidied himself up.
Despite being in a rush, Lee shook the container in his hand and said, “I still have to go out, so I need to put on sunscreen.” He explained, “My skin condition hasn’t completely cleared up yet. It’s still healing, so I have to make sure to apply sunblock.”
“Otherwise, I could develop dark spots,” he added. “I didn’t use sunscreen when I was younger, but little by little, I started noticing spots. They bothered me more than I expected. So these days, I try to apply it whenever I can. I somewhat regret not using it when I was younger.”
Lee has not disclosed what type of skin condition he is experiencing. However, if the condition makes the skin sensitive to sunlight, protecting the skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation can be an important part of managing it.
UV exposure may aggravate certain skin conditions
The American Academy of Dermatology says sunlight is a major trigger that can worsen rosacea, a condition that causes facial redness and visible blood vessels. In some cases, even a few minutes of sun exposure can cause severe facial flushing. Lupus affecting the skin can also be aggravated by UV exposure, which may trigger new rashes or worsen existing symptoms. For such patients, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day.
When inflamed skin is exposed to excessive sunlight, the inflammation can become more pronounced. Inflammation can also stimulate melanin production. Combined with UV exposure, this can worsen post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, in which areas of skin remain brown or dark after the inflammation has healed.
Why early application is important
The “dark spots” Lee mentioned are also closely associated with sun exposure. UV radiation stimulates the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color. When the skin is repeatedly exposed to sunlight over many years, excess melanin can accumulate in certain areas, resulting in brown spots on the face, hands and other exposed areas. The more frequently or intensely the skin is exposed to sunlight, the greater the likelihood of developing these spots.
Lee Jung-jae appears in a scene from "Squid Game Season 2." Courtesy of Netflix
Importantly, UV damage does not suddenly begin when visible signs of aging appear. Rather, it accumulates over time. For this reason, consistent sun protection from a young age is preferable to waiting until dark spots become noticeable.
Research supports this approach. In a randomized study of 903 adults in Australia who were followed for approximately 4 and a half years, participants who used sunscreen every day experienced 24 percent less progression of skin aging than those who used sunscreen only when they felt it was necessary. The researchers concluded that regular sunscreen use could slow skin aging.
UV radiation can also damage the skin's collagen and elastic fibers beneath the surface. Over time, this can contribute to photoaging — premature skin aging caused by sun exposure — including wrinkles and loss of elasticity. Sunscreen, therefore, is better understood as a preventive measure that helps reduce new pigmentation and skin aging rather than as a product that removes existing dark spots.
Pedestrians carrying parasols wait for the traffic light in front of Yongsan Station, Aug. 5, when an extreme heat emergency warning was in effect across Seoul. Yonhap
Don’t focus only on SPF number
When choosing sunscreen, it is generally advisable to select a product with an SPF of 30 or higher and a clearly indicated PA rating. SPF measures protection against ultraviolet B, which is primarily responsible for sunburn, while the PA rating indicates protection against ultraviolet A, which contributes to skin aging and pigmentation. The American Academy of Dermatology likewise recommends a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
People with skin conditions or sensitive skin may also want to pay attention to the ingredients. Mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as active ingredients may be less irritating for some people with sensitive skin, rosacea or eczema. Choosing fragrance-free products may also help minimize irritation.
For those particularly concerned about hyperpigmentation, such as melasma or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, tinted sunscreens containing iron oxides may be another option. Conventional sunscreens primarily protect against UV radiation, while tinted sunscreens containing iron oxides can also help reduce exposure to visible light, which may contribute to pigmentation.
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This article from Kormedi.com, Korea’s top health care and medical portal, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.