To many people, sunscreen seems an obvious thing: grab a bottle of SPF 30 off of the shelves of Walmart, sprinkle it on when you to the beach, and be safe.
In reality, it is far more of a pervasive issue for modern health. Here are some common myths about sunscreen:
1. You do not need it when the sun is hidden by the clouds: actually, cloud cover gives minimal UV protection, and many people have been burned worse by overcast days due to thinking they were safe and not applying any protection.
2. You only need sunscreen during the Summer months: for optimum health care, you should protect your skin year-round against the elements, as otherwise you expose yourself to steadily accumulating UV damage without the obvious signs of sun burn.
3. A dab of SPF60 is plenty: most people use way too little sunscreen--a proper application is a full ounce--thinking that half of a strong sunscreen is still good protection. Unfortunately, a partial application of SPF60 is worth a full dose of SPF8 at best.
Because of factors such as these, most people can benefit from greater education in the ways of proper sun protection. Here are some good beliefs to replace those myths with:
a. Your sun protection needs to block both UVA and UVB rays. The traditional SPF system of sunblock defends against UVB rays--which cause the visible sunburns--but leaves you exposed to UVA rays, which penetrate deeper in the skin and cause damage such as burst blood vessels and wrinkles. Look for sunscreens that specifically block UVA rays, with ingredients such as zinc oxide and avobenzone.
b. You must specifically protect your lips and eyes. To minimize the risk of cataracts, you should always wear 100% UV protection sunglasses, which will have the side benefit of preventing you from wrinkling the skin around your eyes from squinting. Also, your lips are constantly exposed to sun rays and need either SPF lip balm or a dab of your normal facial sunscreen applied.
c. Form a habit of always using sun protection, even in the off-seasons. The days where you commute to work, or are mowing your lawn, or even walking to get the mail, will expose you to sun damage over time. Get used to applying a moisturizer with sunscreen to your face every day, and you dramatically defend against skin aging.
The benefit of following this tips is that you will protect your skin from UV damage, causing you to maintain your youthful appearance longer (fewer wrinkles, sun spots, and other aging agents), with a lower risk of skin cancer.
Cody Everette has had his share of sun burns throughout his life, and unfortunately made it to the ripe old age of 25 before learning what a "UVA" ray was. He has since corrected his poor health habits, and helps to save a few other people from early skin cancer.
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