Some Essential Stuff About Sunscreens
No one likes to have dry and damaged skin. No one likes to develop wrinkles prematurely. And most especially, no one likes to have skin cancer. If you want to protect yourself from all these, then you better start using protection from the sun: sunscreens! Those harmful UV rays make excessive sun exposure bad for you. And this is at its worst from 10 in the morning till 3 in the afternoon.
Even when the sky is cloudy, or even during winter time, UV radiation can still reach your skin. While it’s true that the amount is not as intense as during summer, still the skin may receive some damage. That’s why you need to protect yourself from this radiation, even during brief exposure to the sun.
There are all sorts of sunscreens available nowadays. This is based upon which body part they’ll be used on, or for what reason they’ll be used for. Some come in forms of lotions and sprays suitable for application all over the body. But there are those that come in stick or salve form, for application on the lips, nose and around the eyes. There are also water- and sweat-resistant ones.
For sure you have often seen the word “SPF” on sunscreen products. Have you ever wondered what it is and what it stands for? SPF stands for “sun protection factor”. It indicates the amount of protection it can give your skin from harmful UV radiation of the sun. A product may have SPF 15, 30 or 50. Basically, the higher the SPF of the sunscreen you apply, the more protection you have.
Dermatologists recommend that sunscreen application should be done some 30 minutes before exposing yourself to the sun. This will give the protective chemicals to set in and work effectively. Make sure that you apply it liberally on exposed parts of the body. When you skimp on it, you might not get full protection.
Also, don’t expect for it to keep your skin from UV rays all day long. For prolonged exposure to the sun, it’s advisable to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours. This is because it naturally wears off, not to mention stuff like sweating or using a handkerchief. The same is true with waterproof ones – they should be reapplied after a specific period of time.
Some people, however, may develop some form of skin irritation with use. If you have sensitive skin, you should first test the item you have bought before applying it. You do this by applying it on a small patch of your skin, then placing it under direct sunlight. If after some time redness, rash or itchiness occurs, it means you should go for a different brand.
Aside from applying sunscreen, there are also other ways to protect your skin from UV radiation. You can wear dark sunglasses, a sun visor or wide-brimmed hat to protect your face. For your arms and legs, put on long-sleeved shirts and long skirts or pants. Using an umbrella is also a good idea.
Minimizing or restricting exposure to intense sunlight still is the best step to take. However, if that’s not possible, apply sunscreen. By using sunscreens, you can protect your skin from premature aging and getting sunburned. And more importantly, you will minimize your risk for getting skin cancer.
Find the right sunscreen to use for your protection. Head online and read about the many sunscreens that you have to look into. Get the right one now online.
