The importance of sunscreen starts with the invention of sunscreen itself. Sunscreen has saved countless lives, prevented countless sunburns, and has helped countless people to have healthy and youthful looking skin. Have you ever wondered if you are using sunscreen correctly?
How Does Sunscreen Work?
If you’ve ever had a sunburn, you know how harmful the sun can be. Sunburns are temporary, but the sun can also cause permanent damage, ranging from wrinkles to cancer. It emits two different kinds of ultraviolet (UV) rays: UVA rays can get deep into the skin, while UVB rays affect the outer layer. Sunscreens work by scattering, reflecting, or absorbing the sun’s rays or by acting as a barrier.
Here are some other sunscreen tidbits:
- It matters what kind of sunscreen you use. A sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher is all right for most skin types, although if you have fair skin you may want to use a sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or more. SPF stands for “sun protection factor,” and the higher this number the more protection you’ll get. A sunscreen with an SPF of 30, for example, will absorb about 30% of the UVB rays. You should also look for a sunscreen that says “broad spectrum” on the label; this means it protects your skin from both UVA and UVB rays.
- It matters how you apply it. Apply it generously, and don’t forget to get it everywhere that will be exposed to the sun, like your neck and ears.
- It matters when you apply it. You should apply sunscreen about half an hour before you go outside so that the skin has a chance to absorb it. If you are sweating a lot or swimming, you should reapply it at least every 2 hours.
The most important thing you should know about sunscreen is that you should wear it every time you go outside! It only takes a few minutes but has so many benefits, both for your health and your beauty. Hopefully whoever is reading this blog post understands the importance of sunscreen. If your skin has been damaged by the sun, the staff at New Look Skin Center can help. Call the office in Glendale, Encino, or Irvine at (818) 662-5005 today!
