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Thanks to the SPF I started wearing at 14, the freckle on the tip of my nose never darkened again. Before that, every summer, I’d get a dark spot right there, and people would always ask, “What’s that?” Luckily, my doctor at the time explained the importance of wearing SPF on my face daily. Ever since then, that freckle has stayed the same but actually I can hardly see it now. It’s funny how we start caring and finding solutions once a problem arises, but wouldn’t it be amazing if we could prevent the damage harmful rays can cause to our skin before it happens?
Harmful UVB Rays can cause Damage to your skin like:
- Premature aging
- Cancer
- Skin discoloration
- Melanoma
- Sunburnt skin
- Dryness and itchiness
- Bumpy Rashes
- Eye irritations
This is not a joke
Each year, around 2,200 people die from skin cancer caused by harmful ultraviolet rays. This can happen even when the sun doesn’t feel hot to your skin.
Some experts believe if you have been sunburnt just one time before the age of 20 you can double your chances of getting malignant melanoma.
Children especially need extra attention for their skin when they are in the sun or just on a normal day. Their skin is fragile and can be burnt faster.
There is a SOLUTION
Always wear SPF—it’s your best friend when it comes to skin protection. Even using a sunscreen with SPF 15 can shield your skin from irreversible damage caused by the sun.
Protect your eyes
Eyes can suffer sun damage too, so make sure to wear sunglasses with UV protection. Look for a UV 400 label or ones that offer 100% UV protection. Wear them not just in the sun but also in the snow, as the bright snow reflects light into your eyes, causing harm. Think of it as “light damage,” not just “sun damage.”
Be careful in tanning beds
Always apply SPF before using a tanning bed, as the rays can be even more harmful than sunlight. Ensure that your tanning lotion contains sunscreen, or apply your own sunscreen on top of the lotion. You’ll still achieve a tan, but the SPF will help protect your skin from further damage.
How to apply sunscreen
Use a facial SPF lotion with an SPF of 15 or higher on your face and neck before applying makeup. Choose a generic sunscreen for any other areas exposed to sunlight, daylight, or indoor light. Since sunscreens can be oily, it’s best to use separate products for your face and neck versus the rest of your body.
On a lighter note
We put oil on a chicken before roasting it to keep it from burning, so the least we can do is apply sunscreen to protect ourselves and our kids. Hopefully, this article provided you with some useful information. If you have any frightening sunburn stories, share them in the comments to help others make smarter choices.
