In sunny climates, it’s always important to slap on that sunscreen, even though not everyone remembers to do it. Read on to find out why sunscreen is important all the time!
Sunlight is important for Vitamin D production in your body, but it is also responsible for skin conditions including skin cancer if you aren’t careful. UV rays can trigger skin disorders if you aren’t applying that all-important sunscreen and wearing protecting clothing such as hats. Proper shielding of your skin can prevent potentially life-threatening conditions such as melanoma.
Perhaps you might not be too concerned with skin conditions as a result of sunlight, but what if you also knew that exposure to sunlight can also accelerate the signs of aging on your skin? Scientists have found that wrinkles, fine lines, and other skin inconsistencies can be prevented in people under the age of 55 with ample skin protection. Protecting your skin with sunscreen can also preserve collagen, keratin, and elastin in your skin, keeping your skin soft, young, and supple.
A more short-term issue with sunlight exposure, especially in bright and sunny places such as the beach, is sunburns. Your skin gets red, swells up, and blisters start to form. All this due to UVB rays! Frequent sunburns put you at a greater risk of skin cancer.
So, what are the best kinds of sunscreen and how often should they be applied? Look for broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect yourself against UVA and UVB rays. UVB is responsible for sunburns, while UVA penetrates deeper into your skin, causing more long-term effects including wrinkles and certain kinds of skin cancer. Look for sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to 50. Higher does not always mean better: SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB rays, whereas SPF 100 will only block 99% of UVB rays. Higher SPF products can even cause skin problems and allergies as they contain higher concentrations of powerful active ingredients, which may be harmful if you frequently apply sunscreen.
Contact us at Solstice Health to learn about how we can improve your overall wellness.