
Thanks to the massive campaigns that warn us about the dangers of unprotected sun exposure, we have become pretty aware of the need to use sunscreen on a daily basis. However, when it comes to applying the knowledge, there are many things that can go wrong even if the process seems simple enough. Boost the efficacy of your sunscreen and be more protected with some of the following tips.
Delaying aging and preventing skin cancer in a single step can
truly be considered an important step when it comes to modern
skin care. However, even with increased
knowledge, we can still fall short in terms of the actual
protection we are getting. Whether we have an overly relaxed
attitude or we hold onto a series of myths, taking unnecessary
risks should not be an option.
Among the sunscreen rules that have come to be well known is that
of selecting a broad spectrum sunscreen which protects against both
UVA and UVB rays. However, although the issue of selecting the
right type of sunscreen for you can be easily fixed through a few
trials and errors, when it comes to applying it, things become a
little more complex. That's because we are often more concerned
about applying it than making sure we have everything right. Not
using enough sunscreen is a real problem as it can greatly diminish
the protection we are getting.
Experts recommend using about 1 ounce of sunscreen or a shot
glass full to cover our entire body. However, it is not only the
right amount that should be your concern. The formula you choose is
also important. The way you apply it can also diminish its
efficiency.
If you rub it vigorously to speed up the process, you might reduce
its efficacy by as much as 25%, so make sure that you are gentle
enough. While it can be easy to determine the right amount of cream
you should use, if you prefer spray formulas, it is believed that
you need about 15 to 20 seconds of continuous spray to match the 1
ounce equivalent for cream.
Another detrimental habit that many women have, is using lip gloss
all day long. During summer this habit can be particularly
problematic as it can easily cause your lips to burn, especially
since they don't have melanin to protect them. The nice sheen can
also facilitate burning, so skipping it and using a lip balm with
SPF is highly advisable. If you don't want to give up lip gloss,
make sure to choose one with SPF and don't forget to reapply. If
the necessary amount of time to reapply sunscreen is about every 2
hours or more if you are swimming and sweating, even if you are
using a waterproof formula, lip balm needs reapplying after you eat
or drink.
Not being aware of sun sensitivity is another common reason why
people tend to not be as diligent about their sunscreen habits as
they should be. The truth is that many medications have sun
sensitivity as a side effect. Typical examples include blood
pressure medication, birth control pills, certain antibiotics or
even natural remedies such as St John's wort. Avoiding sun as much
as possible when using some of these medications might be a good
choice.
Relying on makeup with SPF is another
mistake many women tend to make. But just because some of the
makeup products you use have SPF doesn't mean that it's ok to skip
sunscreen. It is estimated that you would have to apply seven times
the amount of foundation you normally use to be able to get the
same benefits that applying sunscreen on bare skin offers.
Applying sunscreen even when it's cloudy is another step that
should not be neglected as a whopping 80% of UV rays still hit your
skin even if you can't see the sun. Also make sure you hit all
small areas such as the back of the ears, behind the knees, your
heels, your toes and so on.
Photocredit: Thinkstock Photos
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