Sunscreens: Skin Protection. How to use sunscreen? Learn more in this article.
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How do sunscreens work?
Sunscreens offer skin protection. They are crucial in preventing the skin from absorbing ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In addition to damaging the skin, UV radiation can cause skin cancer and sunburns. No sunscreen completely blocks UV rays. However, they extend the amount of time you can spend outside before your skin becomes red. You cannot spend as much time in the sun as you like if you wear sunscreen. Your skin cells are still being damaged.
How does one interpret the sun protection factor (SPF)?
The majority of skin cancers are brought on by excessive UV radiation exposure. The degree to which a sunscreen blocks UV rays is indicated by the sun protection factor (SPF) on the label. Sunburn protection increases with an increase in SPF.
More SPF values indicate better UV protection. But not all UV rays can be blocked by sunscreen.
Tips for choosing a sunscreen
By reflecting or absorbing UV rays, sunscreen lessens suntan lines and prevents sunburn. Choosing a high-quality sunscreen is crucial for maintaining skin protection. Select a sunscreen that provides:
- Broad-ranging defense. This offers defense against UVA and UVB radiation.
- A minimum SPF of thirty
- It is waterproof or water resistant. This indicates that the sunscreen offers protection for 40 or 80 minutes, depending on the label, while swimming or perspiring.
The kind of sunscreen that provides the aforementioned advantages is the best. You can choose the brand or type that you use. Sunscreen comes in various forms such as lotions, creams, gels, ointments, sprays, and wax sticks. Just be mindful that the ingredients in different sunscreens vary.
Applying sunscreen: A guide
Even when people do use sunscreen, they frequently apply it incorrectly or in insufficient amounts. This restricts its usefulness. Observe these rules:
- All areas of skin that won’t be covered by clothing should be treated with sunscreen.
- Cover exposed areas with at least one ounce of sunscreen—enough to fill a shot glass. Enough of an ounce to cover the entire body. However, based on your body type and amount of body hair, you may need to modify the amount.
- Before heading outside, apply sunscreen to dry skin 15 to 30 minutes beforehand. This allows time for absorption.
- Reapply sunscreen after swimming or perspiring, or at least every two hours.
- Use a lip balm or lipstick that has sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to protect your lips.
Keep in mind that kids also require sun protection. It is advised that everyone older than six months wear sunscreen. The American Academy of Pediatrics only supports the use of sunscreen on infants under the age of six months if appropriate clothing and shade are not available. Even with young children, parents should make every effort to keep them out of the sun, especially when it’s direct. A baby should be dressed in airy garments that cover the majority of their skin. On exposed skin, such as the backs of the hands and the baby’s face, parents can also dab on a tiny bit of sunscreen.
Use more than just sunscreen.
It’s crucial to wear sunscreen when you go outside in the sun. However, it is merely one component of a comprehensive strategy to shield your skin from damaging UV rays. Among the other crucial methods to safeguard your skin are:
- When it’s appropriate, find shade. Avoid being in the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the UV radiation is at its highest.
- Wear sunglasses, tightly woven clothing that covers the majority of your skin, and a wide-brimmed hat.
- Avoid using sunlamps or tanning beds 카지노사이트.
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