Simply put, everybody should! Not all skin is the same. The amount of pigment in the skin varies from person to person. That is why some people will have higher sensitivity to the sun and burn easily, and never tan. Some people will experience a little bit of tanning but a lot of burning. Then there are those who tan easily and quickly yet rarely burn. It seems to make sense that for those who are not as sun-sensitive there should be less worry about sun exposure. Unfortunately that is not the case. While some people are not prone to sunburns, they are still at risk of developing melanoma, the most prevalent form of skin cancer. Nobody is immune to the risk and everyone should wear sunscreens!
This is because it isn't only the sunburn itself that causes melanoma; it is the UVA and UVB ray exposure that causes the problem. So what are UVA and UVB rays? These are the two harmful types of ultra-violet rays in sunlight. UVA rays penetrate the deep layers of the skin and hinder the immune system and its ability to fight off skin cancer. The UVB rays are those that cause the skin to burn. This is a great strain on the body as it has to repair all the cells damaged by the burn. Between the two rays and their harmful effects, sun exposure can lead to skin cancer.
Just because you aren't actually burning, the risk is still there. Every time you are exposed to the sun, you are exposed to these ultra-violet rays. Sunscreens are made to block out the UVA and UVB rays. Applying a sun block is important no matter how much time you will be spent in the sun, not just if you plan to be outside for a long time or lying at the beach.
This includes walking to and from your car! Even spending a few minutes in the sun will contribute to the risk. While UVB rays, those that cause the skin to burn, cannot penetrate glass, UVA rays CAN. This means that even when you are sitting inside, you are still exposing your skin to harmful sun rays.
If that sounds unlikely, think about this: Have you had or has anyone you know had one of their arms tanner than the other? The tan arm is the one exposed frequently to sunlight coming in through the car window. Even extremely fair people who almost never tan will have a tan arm. And yet they never got sunburn! The arm is exposed to UVA rays everyday and the damage is being done.
So sunscreens are important to block out these rays. What about the SPF factor? SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, is a calculation of the time it takes the skin to burn. It compares skin with the sunblock to skin without the sunblock. For example, an SPF 10 on a person who normally burns in 10 minutes, will increase the time it takes for that person to burn to 100 minutes.
So how do you select a sunscreen? Look for products that provide protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Key ingredients you will want in your sunscreen are: Avobenzone, Cinoxate, Ecamsule, Menthyl anthranilate, Octyl methoxycinnamate, Octyl salicylate, Oxybenzone, Sulisobenzone, Titanium dioxide, or Zinc oxide.
Doing all you can to avoid sun exposure is pivotal to lowering the risk of skin cancers. It is best to wear a hat, keep your skin covered and try to find shade when you can! For times when you can't, wear sunscreens!
This is because it isn't only the sunburn itself that causes melanoma; it is the UVA and UVB ray exposure that causes the problem. So what are UVA and UVB rays? These are the two harmful types of ultra-violet rays in sunlight. UVA rays penetrate the deep layers of the skin and hinder the immune system and its ability to fight off skin cancer. The UVB rays are those that cause the skin to burn. This is a great strain on the body as it has to repair all the cells damaged by the burn. Between the two rays and their harmful effects, sun exposure can lead to skin cancer.
Just because you aren't actually burning, the risk is still there. Every time you are exposed to the sun, you are exposed to these ultra-violet rays. Sunscreens are made to block out the UVA and UVB rays. Applying a sun block is important no matter how much time you will be spent in the sun, not just if you plan to be outside for a long time or lying at the beach.
This includes walking to and from your car! Even spending a few minutes in the sun will contribute to the risk. While UVB rays, those that cause the skin to burn, cannot penetrate glass, UVA rays CAN. This means that even when you are sitting inside, you are still exposing your skin to harmful sun rays.
If that sounds unlikely, think about this: Have you had or has anyone you know had one of their arms tanner than the other? The tan arm is the one exposed frequently to sunlight coming in through the car window. Even extremely fair people who almost never tan will have a tan arm. And yet they never got sunburn! The arm is exposed to UVA rays everyday and the damage is being done.
So sunscreens are important to block out these rays. What about the SPF factor? SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, is a calculation of the time it takes the skin to burn. It compares skin with the sunblock to skin without the sunblock. For example, an SPF 10 on a person who normally burns in 10 minutes, will increase the time it takes for that person to burn to 100 minutes.
So how do you select a sunscreen? Look for products that provide protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Key ingredients you will want in your sunscreen are: Avobenzone, Cinoxate, Ecamsule, Menthyl anthranilate, Octyl methoxycinnamate, Octyl salicylate, Oxybenzone, Sulisobenzone, Titanium dioxide, or Zinc oxide.
Doing all you can to avoid sun exposure is pivotal to lowering the risk of skin cancers. It is best to wear a hat, keep your skin covered and try to find shade when you can! For times when you can't, wear sunscreens!
About the Author:
When you go out into the sun for a long period of time, make sure you apply sunscreen. Sunscreens will help protect the skin. Remember to research it and search for the best for the ultimate protection from the sun.
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