Skin Care Protection

An Introduction to Sun Protection (Sun protection Basics)

Long term and excessive exposure to the sun can damage the skin that can result anything from wrinkles to skin cancer. Once thought to affect those with fair or sensitive skin, excessive sun exposure can even affect individuals with darker skin who never burn.

Regardless of what ones skin type, all individuals should use gels, lotion, or sprays with sun protection. Sunscreens are topical products that contain UV filters that absorb or reflect the sun’s radiation as it protects the skin. Sun block should be used on all skin types, everyday with a minimum of 15 SPF, especially between the peak hours of 10:00 am and 3:00 pm, when the sun is the strongest. The general rule is to apply sunscreen every 15 minutes before going out and to reapply it every two hours. Also sunscreen should be applied everyday, even if it isn’t sunny out. Experts state that overcast and snowy days can actually expose people to the sun more than if it’s a sunny day because individuals will most likely put on sun block when it is hot outside. Additionally, people need protection even when it is snowy out since ultraviolet rays are reflective off certain surfaces.

To protect against the sun, people should make applying sunscreen as a part of their daily routine. The can start their day by checking the UV index, where the higher the number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection. Additionally, sunscreen is only one component of a good sun protection program. There are also numerous products that contain UV protection such as moisturizers, makeup, UV protected clothing such as wide-brimmed hats, shirts, and blankets as well as sunglasses with UVA and UVB protections that filter out sun’s rays. It is also advisable to wear sunscreen under clothing since a shirt may only provide protection of SPF 5 to 8.



Articles on Sun Protection