When you think of summer, one of the first things that may pop into your head is tanning. Sure, it is good to go outside to get some vitamin D from the sun, but it is important that you take the precautions necessary to protect your skin by wearing sunscreen. Studies show that only about 30% of American women and 14% of American men wear sunscreen, which are incredibly low numbers. Many cases of cancer could have been prevented by simply wearing sunscreen before going outside. The following are some tips you should follow to make sure your skin is protected this summer:
- A very common misconception is that just because it is cloudy outside, you don’t need to wear sunscreen. Up to 80% of the sun’s UV rays can pass through clouds, which is why people sometimes get sunburned on cloudy days.
- Wear sunscreen under your makeup. There are foundations and powders that contain SPF(sun protection factor), but you would need about 10 times the normal amount of foundation/powder to get the right protection from the sun. You should opt for a moisturizer with broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF rating of at least 15, and apply foundation over it.
- If you are planning to go in the water, be sure to wear water resistant SPF
- Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours or 1 hour if you are in water or sweating
- Limit your time directly under the sun under sand or water. These surfaces reflect the damaging rays from the sun, which increases the likelihood of you getting sunburned
- Don’t spend too much time under the sun between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm because the sun’s rays are most intense during these times
Take Control of Your Health – www.HealthOneLabs.com
