Drastic changes to your eating or exercise routine don’t always create lasting results. Its small changes made over time that can help you reach your goals. Each week, this column will help you take baby steps to good health by suggesting that you "do one thing."
Too much exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays is bad for your skin and can lead to painful sunburns, wrinkling, sun spots and cancer. So lather on the sunscreen and protect against skin damage.
Sunscreen vs. Sunblock
- Sunscreen contains chemicals that absorb UV rays before they damage the skin and sunblocks contain particles that physically block UV rays from reaching the skin.
- Sunscreen needs to be applied about 30 minutes before sun exposure so that the chemicals have time to soak into your skin and form a layer of protection.
- Sunblock does not need to be applied before going into the sun – it will begin to work as soon as you rub it on because it sits on top of the skin.
Some people complain that certain types of sunscreens make them break-out, are too oily, or cause allergies. Improvements in sunscreen over the years have eliminated many of these problems. If you have sensitive skin, look for sunscreens that are:
- PABA-free (PABA is a chemical that some people are allergic to – most sunscreens are now PABA-free.)
- Noncomedogenic or oil-free sunscreens (will not clog pores.)
- Sprays, lotions, gel, etc. – sunscreen comes in many different forms to suit various preferences.
Your skin isn’t the only body part that needs protection from the sun’s damaging UV rays. Your eyes also need UV protection to prevent cataracts, macular degeneration, and retinal damage. Follow these tips for finding sunglasses, ski goggles, and contact lenses that will protect your eyes this winter.
- Read labels to find sunglasses or goggles that block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation.
- Wraparound frames keep out more UV. Buy sunglasses that are wraparound; enough UV rays can enter around ordinary (non-wraparound) eyeglass frames to damage your eyes.
- Contact lenses alone cannot protect your eyes from the sun. However, certain contact lens manufacturers now make contact lenses with UV protection. If your contact lenses don’t have UV protection, remember to wear UV blocking sunglasses or goggles.
- Protective eyewear does not have to be expensive to be effective. Many sunglasses and goggles are made currently with UV protection, from the most expensive to the least expensive pairs.
- And remember: just because the lenses are dark does not mean you are protected. UV protection comes from an invisible chemical applied to the lenses, and the color or darkness of the lenses is not a good indicator of protective eyewear.
Always choose and use a sunscreen that is:
- An SPF 15 or higher
- Broad-spectrum (protects from both UVA and UVB rays)
- Waterproof or Sweat proof
- Always wear a lip balm with an SPF 15 or higher – remember that your lips can burn just like the rest of your skin.
- Reapply often!
Lip balm not only protects your lips from burning, but the moisture helps to prevent chapping and dryness as well.
Using sunscreen is an effective way to protect your skin from the sun’s damaging UV rays. However, since sunscreen cannot block all UV rays and many people do not apply it correctly, you should always practice additional sun safe behaviors such as wearing protective clothing and seeking shade when possible.
- Sunscreen is a lotion formulated with unique chemical components to absorb UV light.
- When sunscreen is applied to the skin, the chemical molecules form an invisible, protective layer on the skin that protects from penetrating UV rays.
- All sunscreens protect from UVB rays, but only “Broad-Spectrum” sunscreens protect from both UVB and UVA rays.
- UVB rays affect the top layers of the skin and are responsible for Burning.
- UVA rays affect the lower layers of the skin and are responsible for Aging.
- Remember to always buy a sunscreen that is broad-spectrum!
- SPF stands for “Sun Protection Factor.”
- Always wear a sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher!
- SPF was developed to describe the amount of protection that a sunscreen provides. No sunscreen can protect your skin from all of the UV rays, but a higher SPF number indicates protection from more rays.
- The SPF number tells you how much longer you can stay outside without burning while wearing the sunscreen product as opposed to not wearing any sun protection product. SPF measures “time to burn.”
Application tips
- Apply the sunscreen generously to all exposed skin – most people do not use enough sunscreen and therefore do not get the maximum protection.
- Reapply every two hours, and even more frequently if you are sweating, getting wet, or are in a windy climate.
- Apply 30 minutes before going outside.
Besides protecting you from sunburn, sunscreens help to prevent other skin damage related to sun exposure, such as premature aging and pre-cancerous growths.
You can make sunscreen application easy to remember by making it a part of your day-to-day routine, like brushing your teeth. Keep a bottle of sunscreen with your other toiletries and apply it every day.
Women are lucky since many lotions and make-up products now include sun protection with an SPF of 15. Seek out these products and you can easily protect your skin from damaging UV rays. So when you go outside, Go Sun Smart! Use sunscreen and lip balm regularly to protect yourself from the harmful rays of the sun. It’s easy!
Las thing though, If you are going for holidays make sure you buy sunscreen products.
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