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Tag: Sunscreen

  • Sun Safety is Very Important

    We need the sun. The sun aids our body in producing vitamin D, which is essential for calcium absorption of the bones to keep them strong. But there are downsides to unprotected exposure to the sun. The sun gives off UV (ultraviolet) rays, which can damage skin cells. In the long run, it can cause premature aging and even skin cancer.

    When Do You Need Sunscreen?

    Sunscreen is essential all year round, even if it is the middle of Winter and cloudy. The sun’s rays are most harmful during mid-morning to mid-afternoon, so be sure to apply sunscreen then. You can even consult your phone’s weather app to see how high the UV Index is.

    How Often Do You Need to Reapply Sunscreen?

    Most sunscreen’s you purchase will tell you that you need to reapply your sunscreen once every two hours. It may be more often if you have been sweating or swimming.

    Mineral or Chemical Sunscreen?

    Mineral sunscreen contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Chemical sunscreen contains avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and others. Both sunscreens essentially act the same, taking the energy produced by UV rays and turning the heat negligible. If you have sensitive skin though, chemical sunscreen can sting, so mineral sunscreen can be an option. But the downside to mineral sunscreen is that it can often leave a visible layer of white. Depending on your skin and your personal preferences, pick the sunscreen that works best for you.

    Sunscreen is Key

    Whichever sunscreen serves you best, remember to apply and reapply, even when it is cloudy outside. The negative effects of too much UV radiation can cause harm to your skin over time, so it is best to prevent it. Use that sunscreen, seek shade when you can, and stay safe!

  • Apply Sunscreen for Better Health!

    It’s important to consider daily sunscreen use. Applying sunscreen to your skin can improve its health in various ways. By preventing sunburn, reducing the risk of skin cancer, and premature aging from the sun’s UV radiation. In fact, sunscreen is beneficial for all, regardless of gender. Both men and women can benefit from using it. 

    How does UV radiation affect skin?

    Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a type of radiation that comes from the sun and has both pros and cons on your health. First and foremost, exposure to the sunlight is beneficial for boosting vitamin D. Vitamin D is crucial for healthy bones, immune system, brain, and much more. Especially important for the elderly.  Without Vitamin D, you’ll face the risk of bone weakness, bone pain, and osteoporosis. To obtain the required vitamin D, The World Health Organization (WHO) advises exposing oneself to at least 5-15 minutes of sunlight. And therefore, 2 to 3 times a week. Though, this is good, however too much exposure to sunlight is indeed harmful for skin. There are three types of UV radiation which includes UVA, UVB, and UVC depending on their size of wavelengths. The two types of UV radiation that damages skin are UVA and UVB, in which UVA is a longer wavelength that causes skin aging while UVB is a shorter wavelength causing sunburn, sunspots, to name a few.  You can learn more, by clicking on this link myclevelandclinic.org. This is why the use of sunscreen comes in handy to protect your skin from developing risk of skin cancer, sunburn, and wrinkles. 

    What Sunscreen should I be using? 

    Sunscreens you should be purchasing are with an SPF of at least 30 for daily use or 60 if you are going to spend quite a while outdoors. Therefore, you should be applying sunscreen on all parts of your skin to potential exposure to sunlight. For instance, apply sunscreen to your face, ears, back, shoulders, neck, legs, and hands. One ounce is enough to protect your skin from the harsh UV radiation. It’s also recommended to be used during cloudy days because though the sun may be hiding behind clouds, the sun UV rays can pass through them impacting your skin.

    If you want to prevent premature aging, sunburn, and skin cancer – sunscreens are your protector barrier!

    Sources:

    1. https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/radiation/ultraviolet.htm#:~:text=UV%20exposure%20increases%20the%20risk,cancer%20in%20the%20United%20States
    2. Sunscreen and Your Morning Routine | Johns Hopkins Medicine
    3. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10985-ultraviolet-radiation

  • The Importance of Sunscreen in Beauty Care

    Sunscreen is one of the essential elements of the cosmetic care. Not just for easy and safe use, it protects your skin in health and beauty. Sunscreen contains an element referred to as the Sun Protection Factor, which estimates the ability to block out UVB rays that lead to sunburns and skin damage. In addition, broad-spectrum sunscreens extend this protection to UVA rays, which are known to contribute to skin aging and cancer. The dual-action defense of this sunscreen illustrates its importance in preserving the intactness and youthfulness of the skin (Chien, 2023).

    The choice of an accurate SPF level plays a major role in the effectiveness of sunscreen use. Dermatologists recommend using at least SPF 30 cream for everyday common activity to be safe. In cases of long-term exposure, such as in recreational and work activities, a SPF of 60 or more would be better. Individuals generally tend not to apply enough sunscreen (especially with low SPF), so the higher SPF helps provide adequate protection. One should understand the balance between sunscreen protection and the sunlight’s necessity in vitamin D synthesis with the correct sunscreen application approach (Chien, 2023).

    Proper application of sunscreen determines its efficacy. Approximately one (1) ounce should be applied over the exposed areas, including the neck, arms and legs; it’s fine to use less than a half teaspoon over the facial areas of the face and neck. Therefore, one should regularly apply sunscreen every two hours and even more often if one swims or sweats a lot. Particularly during incidental sun exposure, like a short walk during working hours, it is always necessary to maintain skin protection.

    Nevertheless, it is important to note that although sunscreen can protect against different hazards, it is not a comprehensive preventive measure. Adding other protective measures like wearing wide-brimmed hats, sun glasses, and clothes covering the skin and seeking shade increases the defensive shield against negative sun effects. These complementary strategies serve skin safety and aesthetic appeal, emphasizing the need for holistic sun protection (Chien, 2023).

    Therefore, it is important to include sunscreen in one’s daily beauty routine for many reasons besides aesthetics and health. Its function goes beyond seasons and becomes among the yearly necessities for glowing and healthy skin. Taking care of the skin includes the conscientious usage of sunscreen and other preventive tactics, which are fundamental to overall wellness and reflect the harmonious relationship between health and beauty.

  • The Sun Isn’t Always Our Friend

    I love going out and feeling the sun against my skin. The warmth and comfort that the sun brings my skin is always a wonderful experience for me. Not to mention, it is a great way to make sure you get your dose of vitamin D.  Sadly, the sun isn’t always our friend. Too much sun exposure can have negative effects. Let’s discuss what some of these negative effects are and what we can do to prevent them.

    We’ve all heard of UV rays by now but what are they? UV rays are ultraviolet light radiation that can harm our skin. The negative effects of exposure to UV rays through sun, tanning beds, and other UV sources can cause not only various degrees of sun/skin burn but also cancer. This is because UV rays affect your skin cells and DNA which in turn can lead to skin cancer. It is also important to know that UV rays are not only the strongest during the summer, they’re still very much present throughout the year. UV rays reflect off surfaces like snow and sand and can still affect you during cloudy or colder days! Weather channels and apps on our devices now tell us the UV index, which is key to understanding how low or high they are. This is why sunscreen is your bestie all year long.

    Sunscreen Is Your Bestie!

    Sunscreen provides all sorts of benefits for your skin! It prevents sunburns, skin cancer, and premature aging. Who doesn’t want to stay youthful looking? You’ll often see sunscreen products with a “30 SPF”-”60 SPF” label on it. SPF stands for “sun protection factor” and as you can assume, the higher the SPF value, the more protection your skin will receive. For those of us who wear makeup with SPF, it alone is usually not enough to provide protection and it’s often recommended that we double up with regular sunscreen. Remember to always reapply every couple of hours especially on days when you’re outdoors! Have safe fun in the sun!

    Read more about our health, beauty tips and skincare product recommendations!