Sunscreen: What Should You Be Aware Of?

Sunscreen is something that you should use generously and according to the label directions, and if you choose a good one it will serve you well as a great skin protector. There are so many sunscreens on the market now that choosing one can be daunting, but once you’re aware of the prime ingredients to be on the lookout for it will seem far easier. Begin by remembering the bigger picture – sunscreen is there to protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun, but there are certain elements of good sun safety that should never be overlooked. For example, you should avoid the sun during peak hours, which generally fall between 10am and 2pm. These hours are prime for the sun’s potency and the UV rays are especially harsh during this time. You should also wear protective clothing, including a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses. Lastly, always wear sunscreen – this should be applied generously and reapplied throughout the day. Research has never shown a connection between wearing sunscreen and an increase in the risk of skin cancer, and most experts have never claimed that this rumour is true. However, there have been studies which suggest that sunscreen can reduce the risk of melanoma – the most serious form of skin cancer.

 

There are two types of UV light, UVA and UVB, which can both cause damage to the skin. A broad-spectrum sunscreen can protect you from both. UVA rays are responsible for premature ageing, whilst UVB rays burn your skin. Too much exposure of either one will increase your chances of developing skin cancer. You should aim to find a protective sunscreen that shields your skin from the effects of the sun. SPF stands for sun protection factor, which is an indicator as to how well the lotion deflects the UVB rays. It is calculated by how long it would take for the sun to burn the skin if it has been treated with the lotion, compared to bare skin. In theory, the higher the number the more protection you have. However, it isn’t that easy and most people are unaware of this. Even when applied correctly, an SPF 30 only provides slightly more protection than SPF 15 – it isn’t double as many people think. There are two forms of sunscreen, organic and inorganic. The former use active ingredients to absorb the UV radiation and convert it into a small amount of heat. Inorganic sunscreens are also called physical sunscreens, and work by reflecting the radiation. The type of sunscreen you use is whichever works best for you, and you can normally find types that specifically target certain body areas. For example, a spray may work better for areas such as the scalp, whereas a cream could be beneficial to drier areas such as the face.

The most important thing to remember is that the amount of sunscreen you use is imperative. Most people don’t apply enough, so the protection you receive suffers. Aim to use a blob the size of a 50p coin on your arms and legs, and one the size of a 20p coin for your face. As previously stated, you should also protect your skin with clothes and a hat. If you go swimming, you need to reapply when you get out – even sunscreens that are advertised as waterproof need to be reapplied once you’ve dried off, as they won’t remain protective. You should also reapply more regularly if you’re on sand or standing on a concrete surface, as these will reflect the light and increase the risk of burning.

Categories: anti-ageing, Protection, rays, skin, Skin Cancer, sun damage, sunscreen, sunscreens, uvb rays

Are you Using as Much Sunscreen as You Should Every Day?

The most powerful anti-aging device is a simple bottle of sunscreen. The best way to protect the wellness and wellbeing of your skin is by protecting it from sun damage.

 

Sun damage not only threatens your life by making you more susceptible to getting skin cancer, but it also makes your skin look older. And yet, many people still refuse to wear sunscreen when spending time outside in the sunshine.

 

The facts about sunscreen are absolutely indisputable according to researchers and dermatologists: wearing a broad spectrum sunscreen will not only help to protect you from getting skin cancer, it will also slow down the signs of aging. A recent study even goes on to say that wearing a sunscreen all year round can actually slow down the aging process by around 24 percent. If you fancy looking fabulous as all your peers are deteriorating, this could be your secret to success.

 

A recent study showed that around 10 percent of the population do not wear sunscreen ever – under any circumstances at all, which is quite shocking. The same study also found that around 32 percent of the population only wear sunscreen when there is bright sunlight, but the fact is that UV rays can penetrate clouds and you are in almost as much danger on cloudy days in summertime. Around 27 percent of those surveyed admitted that they only wear sunscreen when on holiday or at a specific location such as the beach or pool.

 

Most alarmingly of all, around one percent of the population still go and spend time on tanning beds.

 

Sunscreen information (and misinformation) can be confusing, with regards to SPFs and so on, but all you really need to know is that you need to buy a broad spectrum sunscreen with a high sun protection factor. You must keep reapplying it too, even if the bottle claims that it is waterproof or lasts all day.

Categories: anti aging, broad spectrum, nbsp, percent, skin, Skin Cancer, spectrum sunscreen, spf, sunscreen, wear, wear sunscreen

Protect Yourself From the Sun

Protecting yourself from the sun isn’t only important in the summer. Most of us tend to put sunscreen away around the same time as our bathing suits are readied for storage. Damaging UVA and UVB rays continue throughout the year, regardless of season and sun damage to the skin is cumulative. Looking for ways to continue to protect yourself from the sun as we head into autumn? Consider these suggestions:

 

 
Sunscreen

Most of us get into the routine of adding sunscreen before we go out in the summer, but sunscreen should be worn year-round to prevent sunburns and to protect your skin from the sun. Ever see a ski bum with what look like permanent goggles on the face? Snow reflects light and may actually cause you to burn faster than in the summer. If you work outdoors or are exposed to a lot of natural light, a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or higher is recommended. Ladies, consider using a moisturizing sunscreen as a base for your makeup. Skip the makeup that contains SPFs because you would have to use way more makeup than you normally would to achieve the desired protection. Remember to reapply sunscreen at least every two hours throughout your day.

 

 
Sun Glasses

Sun glasses aren’t just fashionable accessories. Like sunscreen, sunglasses with UVA/UVB protections should be worn year-round, even on overcast or hazy days. The coating that blocks UV radiation is clear, so the color of the lenses won’t be affected. Keep in mind, though, that yellow or rose tinted lenses can make it difficult to distinguish color changes in traffic lights. If you find yourself having to frequently remove your shades to see distances or read, consider getting prescription lenses; retailers like Reading Glasses offer reader sunglasses and bifocal styles, enabling you to keep your eyes optimally covered no matter the task at hand. And remember, protecting the retinas and pupils are especially important for children, as sunglasses will help protect their developing eyes.

 

 
Window Tint

Like sunglasses for your car windows, window tint can reject UV rays you would otherwise be exposed to. If your area has laws against tinted windows, there are clear options available to reflect UV radiation without darkening your windows.

 

 
Dress for Success

The general rule is that, if you can see light through cloth when you hold it up, your fabric isn’t doing much to shield your skin from UV rays. Choose fabrics with tight weave, such as polyester, and fabrics with heavy weight natural fibers such as cotton. Choose a long sleeve that breathes well over a short sleeve for added protection. Shirts with collars can help protect your neck. Long pants of canvas may be a bit warmer than Bermuda shorts, but will provide exponentially more protection from damaging rays. There are also options to help make your existing clothing more UV resistant. Laundry additives such as SunGuard wash an UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) of 30 or more into your clothes and last for up to 20 washes. The single most important thing to wear, though, could be your hat. Not only will a hat with a full brim help protect your scalp, ears and neck from the UVA rays that cause cancer, it will help keep those same rays away from your face … and these are four of the most common places for skin cancer to appear.

 

 
Altitude’s Effect

If you live, work, or play at higher altitudes, you are especially susceptible to skin damage from the sun’s rays. For each 1,000 feet above sea level, UV radiation increases 4%. Skiing your favorite 14-er in the Rockies nets in 56% more radiation exposure than a day at a sea-level beach. If you’re hitting the slopes, choose a wide-brimmed hat over a stocking cap and coat exposed skin with a thick level of broad spectrum sunblock at least 15 minutes before going outside. Choose goggles that offer UVA/UVB ray protection.  Consider these same guidelines for other winter activities such as cross-country skiing, sledding, and ice skating.

 

This is a guest post written for Yourwellness by Noel McGill.

Categories: Protection, Sun, sunscreen