I wish someone would have told me sooner the importance of protecting my skin from the sun. I thought because I was tan and I didn’t burn easy, I was automatically protected. Sadly that is not the case. As I got older, sun spots appeared on my skin, which makes me more stringent on preserving my skin now. Since summer is approaching, I thought it would remind readers of the importance of skin protection from the sun.
Why Put on Sunscreen:
The sun’s UV rays can cause serious damage to our skin. In particular, UVA and UVB rays are what we need to protect ourselves from. UVB only penetrates the skin first layer, which burns the skin and gives us a tan. However UVA rays penetrates deeper into our skin and causes damages to skin cells. In time these damage can cause signs of aging, or in worse situations skin cell mutation. Which can lead to skin cancer (LINK).
Which Type of Sun Screen:
Doctors recommend putting on SPF 30 everyday, especially on the facial skin. The SPF is the length of time that your skin is protected. Therefore, if your trying an SPF 20 plus SPF 10, it does equal to a 30 SPF.
There are two types of SPF that you can purchase. First is a physical SPF, like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, that blocks and reflects sun-rays. Second is chemical protection, which absorbs the sun-rays. Unfortunately chemical doesn’t last as long as a physical SPF.
The best way to protect your skin is to cover-up from the sun or avoid it at its strongest which 11am – 3pm. Also never forget to put sun protection on your exposed body parts.
Have a great summer everyone!