Friday, March 19, 2010

Sunscreens - Some Things You Need To Know About Them

By James Fraksburg

Sunscreens help protect your skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun. Excessive and unnecessary exposure to sunlight, especially between 10 am to 3 pm, can cause some untoward effects on your skin. Sunburn and premature skin aging are two of the most common. But a scarier effect than those is skin cancer. Now that alone should make you go scrambling for some protection.

Even when the sky is cloudy, or even during winter time, UV radiation can still reach your skin. While it's true that the amount is not as intense as during summer, still the skin may receive some damage. That's why you need to protect yourself from this radiation, even during brief exposure to the sun.

There are all sorts of sunscreens available nowadays. This is based upon which body part they'll be used on, or for what reason they'll be used for. Some come in forms of lotions and sprays suitable for application all over the body. But there are those that come in stick or salve form, for application on the lips, nose and around the eyes. There are also water- and sweat-resistant ones.

For sure you have often seen the word "SPF" on sunscreen products. Have you ever wondered what it is and what it stands for? SPF stands for "sun protection factor". It indicates the amount of protection it can give your skin from harmful UV radiation of the sun. A product may have SPF 15, 30 or 50. Basically, the higher the SPF of the sunscreen you apply, the more protection you have.

Skin experts suggest that you should start applying it on your skin about half an hour before going outside. This way, the substances that make the sunscreen work could set in and work efficiently. Also, to make the most out of the protection it gives, you should apply it liberally.

If you're staying outdoors for a long time during the day, reapplication is necessary. You should do so every 2 hours to maintain that you are getting protected all the time. Sweating and using hankies may rub off the sunscreen, thus diminishing its protective abilities. Even water-repellant ones need to be reapplied after some time.

Some people, however, may develop some form of skin irritation with use. If you have sensitive skin, you should first test the item you have bought before applying it. You do this by applying it on a small patch of your skin, then placing it under direct sunlight. If after some time redness, rash or itchiness occurs, it means you should go for a different brand.

Along with the application of sunscreen, there are also other means by which you can protect yourself from sunburn. Obviously, using an umbrella is one of them. You should also try to use shirts with long sleeves, and long pants or skirts especially when going out around noontime. For your face, use tinted sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats.

Do your skin a favor by applying sunscreens. You will not only protect your skin from getting burned or developing cancer. But also you will keep the early signs of aging at bay. Still, it's best if you can limit your exposure to the harmful UV rays of the sun by staying indoors whenever possible.

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