We all love a good sun tan. However, it is also imperative to understand that the sun also brings us a plethora of skin problems that range from aging to skin cancer.
According to a study by the Skin Cancer Foundation, more than 2 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed annually. So yes, it is safe to say that you should arm yourself with a good sunscreen and apply it diligently, even on cloudy days.
Here are some quick facts about sunscreen. Most sunscreen bottles will be labeled with UVA/UVB and SPF protection. Exactly what do those acronyms mean? In short, UVA rays account for up to 95% of the radiation from the sun that reaches the Earth, whereas, UVB accounts for less but more intense rays. In general, UVA penetrates through glass while UVB does not. In order to get full coverage, you will want to get a sunscreen that has both UVA and UVB protection. SPF, on the other hand, is an indication of how much longer it will take for UVB rays to redden your skin if you are using the product. As an example, SPF 15 means that it will take 15 times longer for UVB rays to redden your skin if you apply the product versus no sunscreen applied.
It’s never too late to protect yourself from the sun and minimize your future risk of skin cancer. Go get yourself a good sunscreen now! Sunscreens can be applied under makeup, or alternatively, there are many cosmetic products out there that already contain sunscreens for daily use. Enjoy the sun but protect yourself from premature aging and skin cancer!
Compliments of Sante Spa Victoria.
