Most of us know how necessary it is to wear sunscreen every day throughout the summer months. You need to apply to stop sunburn and damage. But it also can be a preventive health measure during the year. Always wear sunscreen every day, no matter the color or tone of your skin. Sunscreen dates back to ancient Egypt, where people used the extract of rice bran and jasmine to protect the skin from the sun. In 1936, chemists invented the first commercial sunscreen. And since then, it has been improved. Modern sunscreens are waterproof and are ingredients in many cosmetics and beauty products. These include primers, foundations, serums, and creams.
Up to 80% of the sun’s rays can pass through the clouds. So, if you believe it’s OK to forgo sunscreen on an overcast day, think again. Sunscreen is a vital habit in preventive health care. You should maintain this throughout the year, even in the winter months. Snow can reflect up to 80% of ultraviolet (UV) rays, raising the risk of sun damage exposure. The greater the altitude, the greater the UV radiation. So, sunscreen is important for family ski holidays. When in doubt, always wear sunscreen every day!
Here are the reasons why You Should Always Wear Sunscreen every day?
1. Awareness is strength when it comes to the sun’s damaging rays
The sun releases two groups of ultraviolet rays. UVA (Ultraviolet) and UVB, respectively. UVB rays are those that cause sunburn, which varies from summer to winter in intensity. UVA rays are of the same intensity during summer or winter.
It is important to note that UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin. And it can cause skin ageing and skin cancer. UVA damage is not reversible, and we must protect us from these rays at all times of the year.
You can protect yourself from exposure to these rays by wearing sunscreen every day. Invisible rays that are part of the radiation that comes from the sun can burn the skin. And it can even cause skin cancer. UV radiation contains # 3 types of radiation:
- Ultraviolet A (UVA),
- Ultraviolet B (UVB)
- Ultraviolet C (UVC).
2. Prevent Skin Cancer
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), one of the safest ways to reduce your skin cancer risk is to use a sunscreen every day with at least 15 SPFs. The higher the SPF, the better the defence.
The CDC also advises the re-applying of sunscreen:
- When you’ve been out in the sun for more than 2 hours
- After bathing or sweating
- After towelling off
3. Prevent Breaking of Blood Vessels
UV rays can destroy blood vessels and cause them to become thinner. Broken blood vessels, also known as telangiectasias, can give the skin a bruising or bleeding appearance.
To keep your skin safe all summer long, prevent a host of skin issues, remember to use your sunscreen every day.
4. Your perceptions are incorrect when it comes to the intensity of the sun’s rays
It’s cloudy, so you don’t need protection right now? It’s false! According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, up to 80% of the sun’s UV rays can travel through clouds.
This is exactly how you end up with sunburn on cloudy days when you were outside and not wearing sunscreen. Also, note that winter sports can expose us to more harmful rays. It is because snow can reflect up to 80 percent of harmful UV rays.
5. Limit the Appearance of Sunspots
Being exposed to the sun’s UV rays can also induce sunspots (also known as “age spots” or “liver spots”). These are responsible for enhancing the effect of aging. Hyperpigmentation of the skin causes sunspots. Sunspots are usually flat patches of discolored skin that may have different brown shades. Sunspots can occur in the following areas of the body:
- Face
- Shoulders
- Arms
- Back
- Back of the hands
6. Helps Protect Against The Visible Signs of Premature Aging
Research shows that the sun’s ultraviolet rays penetrate the skin. They weaken the elastic fibres that hold the skin firm, causing wrinkles to develop.
Even with expensive skincare creams and lotions, if you don’t use sunscreen every day, you’re wasting your time and money. No one likes to look older than their years.
7. Keeps skin even-toned
Uneven skin and dark patches make the skin appear dull and lifeless. Using sunscreen every day means that the skin colour remains. It also minimizes the risk of developing dark spots and blemishes. It is important for all skin types and age ranges, no matter which part of the world you live in, to make sunscreen the hero of your skincare routine, not only today but every day!
8. Sunscreen gives more protection than a dress with full sleeves
By wearing a full-sleeve dress, you can not protect yourself from the sun! Do you know that a cotton dress offers zero protection from harmful sunlight, especially when wet? Only apply a generous amount of sunscreen under your dress as well.
9. Reduces the Chance of Unwanted Sunburns & Tanning
We don’t know about you, but the sunburns aren’t a lot of fun. There’s nothing worse than the nagging sensation of scrappy. And don’t even get us started after all the itching and peeling! Sunburns are a painful nuisance that appears to make the most simple tasks ten times more difficult than normal. Certain people handle sunburns better than others. However, there is a lot more to do with sunburns that warrant some cause for concern. As years go on, regular sunburn from overexposure can damage the skin over time. It also causes some unfavorable skin conditions that can be incredibly harmful to overall health. A quick application of sunscreen to the skin can create a difference when minimizing these risks.
The Bottom Line
Now, it’s important to know what kind of sunscreen to use. We recommend a physical sunscreen with an SPF of no less than 30. Unlike chemical sunscreens, physical sunscreens have mineral-based ingredients. These ingredients include zinc oxide and titanium oxide that sit on the top of the skin, deflecting and not absorbing harmful UV rays.
Remember, you should use sunscreen every two hours daily. It would be best if you did this regardless of whether you spend much of your time indoors or outside. You should also mix it with a topical vitamin C serum. It can help combat exposure to free radicals and ultraviolet radiation. Also, it can slow down aging symptoms and brighten the skin. When venturing outside, don’t just focus on your sunscreen, seek shade. Also, wear a wide-split hat and other UV-protective clothing.