Sun and your Skin

Summertime is quickly approaching, which means the summer sun shines brightly more hours each day. Everyone is out relaxing and taking in the sun’s bright light at the beach, picnics in the park, outdoor events and on long bike rides! And while having the sunny warmth feels great, it’s important to protect your skin from its harmful UV rays.

Spending time out in the sun also means protecting your skin with the proper clothing and skin protection. And with the rise of skin cancer worldwide (about 14 million cases in 2012), prevention and early detection are extremely important for everyone– even those with darker skin tones and natural melanin. So how can you protect your skin? Read these helpful tips to found out.

  • Use a “broad-spectrum” sunscreen with a SPF (sun protection factor) 30 or higher. And if you’re planning to go in the water, make sure it’s water-resistant.
  • Don’t forget to use a lip balm that has sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and there are many lipsticks which have sunscreen too.
  • “Squeeze before you leave” by applying at least 1 ounce of sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before going outside. Hint: about a palm-sized squeeze should do the trick.
  • For the best protection, remember to reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours (every hour if you get wet or sweat).
  • Pick the best option for your skin type. There are many options like clear gels and sprays that don’t leave a white film on your skin, so shop around keeping in mind: richer, thicker creams are better for dry skin types, gels are better for the scalp and hairy areas. And for youth under 12, use a child-friendly formula.
  • Wear sunscreen all-year-round! That means anytime you are outside, even on cloudy days.
  • Throw away any expired sun creams.

So enjoy the sun and all the natural vitamin D and beta-endorphins it helps your body produce, but remember to be good to your skin. It's the largest organ you’ve got!

 

 

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