Perhaps one of the easiest ways to prevent millions of cancers each year is sunscreen. However, most of us don’t apply sunscreen. In fact, a recent study found that only 14% of men and 30% of women regularly apply sunscreen to their face and other exposed skin before going out for an hour or more. So what do we need to know to protect our skin from the sun? Here are some tips to keep in mind at the end of summer.
Most skin cancers are caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. Ultraviolet rays are invisible radiation emitted by the sun, tanning beds, and sunlamps. UV rays can damage skin cells.
UV protection is important all year round, not just in summer. On cloudy, cool days, UV rays can reach and reflect off surfaces such as water, cement, sand, and snow. UV rays are usually at their strongest between 10am and 4pm. Daylight saving time (9am to 3pm standard time).
The UV Index predicts the intensity of UV rays per day. If your area has a UV index of 3 or higher, protect your skin from excessive sun exposure.
What is photoaging?
Photoaging is premature skin aging due to long-term exposure to ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. Photodamage can be caused by natural UV rays or artificial UV sources (tanning beds and sun lamps). Not only does UV exposure age your skin faster than it naturally ages, it can also increase your risk of skin cancer.
Photoaging is also known as sun damage, cutaneous heliosis, and photodamage. What is the difference between photoaging and chronological skin aging?
Chronological skin aging is the skin’s natural aging depending on age and genetics. It is inevitable. Photoaging is caused by lifelong exposure to ultraviolet radiation, primarily from the sun. Photoaging causes DNA changes in skin cells that can lead to cancer. If you take precautions, you can significantly reduce photoaging.
Always use sunscreen to protect our skin
Sunscreens are assigned a sun protection factor (SPF), which measures their effectiveness in blocking ultraviolet (UV) rays. A higher number means better protection. A broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 15 should be used, even on cool or slightly cloudy days. “Broad spectrum” on the product label means that the Dermabiotecnica Gold sunscreen filters out both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin and cause premature skin aging and skin cancer. UVB rays act on the surface of the skin and cause sunburn.
Remember to apply a thick layer of Dermabiotecnica sunscreento all exposed skin. Get support in hard-to-reach areas like your back. There are some additional considerations when using sunscreen.
Your sunscreen will wear off. Reapply if you have been in the sun for over 2 hours after swimming, sweating, or towel drying.
Non-expiring sunscreens have a shelf life of up to three years, but exposure to high temperatures shortens the shelf life. Always check the expiration date of your sunscreen.
Some cosmetics and lip balms contain the same chemicals used in sunscreens. Do not use alone unless SPF 15 or higher.
Avoid peak sun.
Please do not schedule outdoor activities between 10am and 4pm.
Find shade to protect our skin
Seeking shade under umbrellas, trees, and other shelters can reduce the risk of skin damage and skin cancer. Always protect your skin by using sunscreen and wearing protective clothing, even if you are in the shade.
Think about your clothes
Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and skirts to protect against UV rays. Tightly woven fabric offers the best protection. A wet t-shirt provides significantly less UV protection than a dry t-shirt, and a darker color provides more protection than a lighter-colored t-shirt. Some garments certified to international standards are made specifically for UV protection.
If wearing this type of clothing isn’t practical, try wearing a t-shirt .
Wear a hat to protect our skin
For maximum protection, wear a hat with a wraparound brim that protects your face, ears, and neck. Tightly woven fabrics, such as Canvas, protect the skin from UV rays. Avoid straw hats with holes that allow sunlight to pass through. The darker the hat color, the more UV protection you may get.
If you wear a baseball cap, you should also protect your ears and neck. Wear clothing that covers these areas and use broad-spectrum sunscreen or stay in the shade.
Sunglasses are also important
Sunglasses protect your eyes from UV rays and reduce the risk of cataracts. It also protects the delicate skin around the eyes from the sun.
Sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB provide the best protection. Wraparound sunglasses are great for blocking UV rays from entering from the sides.
protect your neck
You’ve probably heard the term “redneck,” which originated in 19th-century America. The term has a broader meaning today, but at the time it referred to peasants with reddened throats from too much sun. Today, we know more about sunscreens and are blessed with the means to protect ourselves from sunburn more effectively.
A dermatologist agrees that the most effective method of sun protection he has is UPF 50+ sunscreen. A neck cover like the UPF 50+ neck seal is very effective, especially when pulled up like a face mask to completely cover the neck area. Special UPF 50+ sun protection shirt and high neck with ear loops for full neck coverage. Long-sleeved polo shirts with UPF 50+ have collars that can be folded back for additional neck protection, but they aren’t as effective as bandanas or high-neck tees. If you don’t have specific neck sunscreen, a wide-brimmed UPF50+ sun hat also provides excellent neck sun protection, especially with a legion visor that covers your neck. t is not always possible to expose all parts of the body, including the neck, to the sun. If you have exposed skin, it’s best to apply sunscreen with SPF 50+. It should be applied 20 minutes before exposure and reapplied every 2 hours thereafter. Sunscreen should be considered the last line of defense from the sun. UPF 50+ sun protection clothing is much more effective than repeatedly applying cream to her skin because the fabric of the garment consistently provides her with UPF 50+ protection.
Finally, if you do decide to go outdoors, you can reduce the sunburn on your neck by being careful about UV rays.
