The Importance Of Protecting Your Skin From The Sun

Tan woman applying sun protection lotion

Did you know that protecting yourself from the sun is good for your skin and your health? Here are some of the top reasons why you should start protecting yourself from the sun.

1. Prevent Skin Cancer

Exposure to the sun’s UV rays can cause skin cancer. That’s because these rays damage your skin cells, exposing you to melanoma since some of the cells can’t repair themselves.

2. Prevent Sunspots And Wrinkles

You might not know when exposure to the sun is creating cancerous cells but you will notice any wrinkles and sunspots immediately. Staying too long in the sun without the proper protection can cause moles, premature wrinkles and sunspots. Did you know that exposure to the sun has been attributed to cause at least 85% of aging?

3. Dry Skin

The sun can dry up the skin making it dry and scaly. The UV rays are responsible for drying up any moisture left on your skin and if not careful, the dry skin can be prone to wounds, especially after incessant scratching.

How To Protect Yourself From The Sun

Now that you know the importance of protecting yourself from the sun, you need to know the right way to protect yourself accordingly. Here are some useful tips on how to protect your skin when in the sun.

a) Stay away from the sun, especially when it is very bright. Around 10 o’clock to 4 o’clock in the afternoon, the sun is always extremely hot so you should always find shade and avoid direct sunlight.

b) Always wear protective clothing whenever you are in the sun, especially if you can’t avoid going outside. Yes, you can wear protection for your eyes like eye shades but what about the rest of your exposed face? That’s why you should consider wearing a wide-brimmed hat whenever you are in the sun.

c) Find an effective sunscreen and wear it every day for the best results. Currently, the market is flooded with various types of sunscreen products. It is prudent to read the labels before buying anything. Find a sunscreen product that has a SPF rating of 15 for the best results. Apply the creams or lotions very thick and reapply them if you have been swimming.

d) Stay away from reflected light. Did you know that your skin can absorb UV rays that are reflected from bright surfaces such as concrete roads, sandy beaches and shiny surfaces? Well, you should always take the necessary steps to avoid reflected light.

e) Take the right medications because some, whether bought over-the counter or prescribed, can make your skin vulnerable to sunburns. Before taking any medication, always ask the doctor or pharmacist about their skin vulnerability aspect.

f) Even when there are clouds, the sun is still out so don’t let your guard down. Keep in mind that the sun’s rays also penetrate the cloud cover and can have damaging effect on your skin even when you are not aware of it.

g) Finally, you should always visit the doctor and get professional skin cancer screening if you notice any weird blemishes on your skin. It could be sunspots or cancerous moles depending on your exposure, so you need to catch them early.