You should always use sunscreen; there’s no wiggle room here. Regular use of sunscreen is the best protection against melanoma, the worst form of skin cancer. The SPF of a sunscreen indicates how much longer you may remain exposed to the sun before suffering sunburn compared to when you are not using sunscreen. Every exposed area of the face, arms, legs, front of the body, and back of the body (including the ears and neck) should be covered with sunscreen. The average amount of sunscreen needed to cover the full body is 35 ml. One piece of advice is to reapply once you’re already exposed to the sun since this quantity is typically insufficient for many individuals.
Why Sunscreen Is A Must?
Sunscreens with an SPF of 50 provide excellent protection from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, even for oily skin types. Most of us recognise sunscreen’s value in avoiding sunburn and other injuries during the summer, but few of us know that it’s also a crucial preventative measure to take any time of year.
Sunscreens’ protective components, known as UV filters, may be either organic or inorganic.
When exposed to UV light, organic compounds become active, whereas inorganic substances do one of two things: absorb or disperse the light. Many contemporary sunscreens protect against both UVA and UVB radiation thanks to a combination of organic and inorganic UV filters.
You should use sunscreen every day, but here are four reasons (excuses) why you probably aren’t
- It’s Yucky, Greasy, And Stinky
- It makes my skin seem whiter
- I spend my day inside
Daily sunscreen use is recommended if you work near a window, take frequent outdoor walks, or often go out of doors for coffee. There may be other issues with your lifestyle that we cannot address if you are a total nocturnal and never expose your skin to natural sunshine.
The most important thing you can do to protect your skin is to start using sunscreen every morning and reapply it many times during the day. Let’s explore the ultimate benefits of sunblock and why everyone should use it.
Ultimate Benefits Of Sunblock
Every dermatologist will tell you to use sunscreen and cover-up in the sun. Tanning beds and booths, as well as prolonged exposure to sunlight without protection, may cause sunburn. Exposure to the sun on a regular basis may lead to skin cancer, accelerated ageing, and other skin disorders. If you have a blistering sunburn, it’s best to see a dermatologist so they can examine the damage and provide pain relief and scar prevention creams. Sunburns can be treated with oral medications, and the effects may be less severe if they are administered immediately.
1. Avoid the Outward Marks of Ageing
The skin’s elastin, collagen, and skin cells may all be damaged by prolonged exposure to the sun without protection. This might lead to premature ageing symptoms such as skin discolouration, wrinkles, and a leathery appearance. Those who spend a lot of time in the sun without protection, particularly in their 20s and 30s, are more likely to experience premature ageing, also known as photoaging. Thankfully, these skin problems may be avoided with regular use of sunscreen.
2. Safeguard Against Skin Cancer
Applying sunscreen every day, especially on overcast days, is a great method to reduce your risk of developing skin cancer. One in five Americans may acquire skin cancer before they are 70, according to the American Cancer Society. Using sunscreen with at least an SPF of 30 regularly may help reduce the likelihood of contracting this condition. The higher the SPF, the more protection you will get. Reapplying sunscreen every two hours is recommended if you will be spending a long period outdoors or in the water.
3. Avoid Pigmentation Problems
Have you ever wondered why your skin gets pigmentation? It might be because you’ve not taken care of your dry skin. Whatever the reasons for dry skin are, the one stop solution is sunblock. The patches of discoloured skin may be distressing, particularly if they emerge later in life. Sunspots may appear anywhere on the body but often do so on the face, head, hands, and arms of both sexes. Sunscreen should be reapplied many times during the day to protect against the development of these spots.
4. Minimise Inflammation
Redness and inflammation caused by exposure to UV radiation may be very uncomfortable. Psoriasis and rosacea sufferers may find this task very taxing. Protect your skin from sunburn and other sun-related skin irritations by using sunscreen every day. If you have sensitive skin that easily breaks out in redness, go for a sunscreen that has moderate ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Sunscreen sprays are not recommended since their compositions may be quite drying to the skin, especially if they include alcohol. Seek the advice of a local dermatologist who is board-certified in the treatment of skin conditions if you have questions or need help choosing a product.
5. Reduces the Signs of Ageing
We’d all benefit from the skin that seems younger and healthier. This is perhaps the strongest argument in favour of regularly using sunscreen. Exposure to the sun without proper protection might speed up the ageing process. Sunscreen use may aid with prevention, which is essential. It prevents ageing skin issues including wrinkles, fine lines, sun spots, hyperpigmentation, photodamage, and dry skin. Research shows that those under the age of 55 who regularly use sunscreen had a 24% lower risk of getting these ageing symptoms compared to those who do not or who only sometimes apply sunscreen.
Closing Words
It might be challenging to choose a sunscreen among the many options available. One of the most important things to look for while purchasing is a sunblock with an SPF of 30 or more, which will protect your skin even on cloudy days. It is important to use a “broad spectrum” sunscreen and reapply it after swimming or drying off with a towel.