Sun Protection And Skin Health Go Hand In Hand - M Tips 97
Sun Protection And Skin Health Go Hand In Hand - M Tips 97
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), frequent tanning can actually harm the skin in the long run. In addition to helping you avoid skin cancer, sun protection also helps in slowing down the process of skin aging.
How Sun Exposure Affects the Skin
Sun exposure is the primary reason our skin ages faster than it should. The World Health Organization (WHO) says that 90% of the visible signs of aging may be attributed to too much sun exposure.
Frequent exposure to harmful UV rays adversely affects the texture and weakens the elasticity of the skin. As a result, it causes sagging, premature wrinkles, dark spots, and bruising as well.
There are two types of UV rays, and they both cause skin aging. But there is a difference.
- UVA – also called the “aging” rays, damages the dermis, which is the underlying layer of skin. Over time, it results in pigment discolorations and wrinkles.
- UVB – referred to as the "burning" rays, causes inflammation and dilation of blood vessels (sunburn). It penetrates deeper into your skin and results in delayed wrinkling and tanning effects, and may even cause skin cancer. Plus it damages fibroblasts, which are responsible for producing elastin and collagen – those god-given nectars that give us our youthful glow.
How to Protect Your Skin from the Sun
Every time you go out in the sun, your skin gets exposed to both UVA and UVB rays. While our skin needs a certain amount of sunshine to produce vitamin D, too much exposure can be harmful. Here are a few easy sun protection tips that will ensure you get that optimum level of sunshine.
Wear Protective Clothing
Though you might cover-up, it doesn't necessarily protect your skin completely. Light-colored clothes are less protective compared to darker colored garments. Some clothes have a “UV protection factor” (UPF) value on the label. These clothes provide anywhere from 15 to 50+ UV protection. The higher the UPF value, the more protection they provide.
Sunscreen Always Helps
A necessity for even those that do not have a personalized skincare routine. It should be applied everyday period! Sunscreens are only filters. While sunscreens do not provide a complete barrier against all UV rays, those sunscreens that have a broad spectrum coverage (UVA and UVB) with at least a 30 SPF provide the best sun protection. But regardless of how effective they are, their efficacy doesn’t last too long. Which is why you should reapply them once every 2 hours. Don't forget to apply sunscreen on your neck and body for maximum coverage!
Carry Sunglasses With You
UV-blocking glares that inhibit 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB rays are ideal. In addition to protecting the eyes, they also shield the delicate area around the eyes as well, which are typically more vulnerable to skin aging.
Wear a Hat
Certain parts of the face are more exposed to the sun, like our ears, scalp, forehead, eyes, and nose. So a hat with a 2 to 3 inch brim will block out UV rays effectively, especially if the underside has a non-reflective surface. Moreover, tightly-woven hats are much more effective than their straw counterparts.
UV rays are strongest between 10 am and 4 pm, and we obviously cannot avoid sunlight all the time. So the best way to prevent skin aging is to use a combination of the sun protection solutions listed above.
Until the next one,
Stay Protected
