Sunscreen is very important for people because it protects the skin against the dangers of ultraviolet rays from sun exposure. The UV rays are becoming more powerful because of the thinning of the ozone layer. The ozone layer protects and limits the entry of the UV rays so if the ozone layer is thinner, more rays can penetrate the protective layer.

Sun exposure can cause sunburns, aged skin, age spots, freckles and wrinkles. Sunburns are very dangerous because they can cause skin cancer development. Sun protection is meant to diminish the risk of these damaging effects of sun exposure.

People get sunburned at different rates, depending on the quantity of melanin pigment in the skin. The darker the skin, the longer it takes for it to get sunburned. Some medication can also make the skin more sensitive and more likely to get sunburned. Just because people need different types of sun protection, sunscreen manufactures produced sun protection creams with different protection levels.

The number written on the sunscreen indicates the number of protection. The higher the number the longer your skin will be protected. To find out what type of level of protection you need multiply the number of minutes it takes for you to get sunburned with the number written on the sunscreen ant the result will indicate the number of minutes the sunscreen will offer you protection.

It is important to use sunscreens which protect you from both types of ultraviolet rays, UV-A and UV-B. There are certain sunscreens which only offer protection against only one type of UV rays, so buy a sunscreen which is “broad spectrum” which means it protects against both types of UV rays.

Sunscreen works on protecting your skin by absorbing the UV rays and transforming them into heat. The ingredients contained in the sunscreen will create the whole process. They don’t allow the rays to penetrate the skin, thus aiding in protection. Sunblocks contain ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium oxide which can help reflect or scatter the UV rays.

Even though sunscreens contain a lot of chemical ingredients they are not dangerous for our skin they are actually meant to protect it. It is important to wear sunscreen even when it is cloudy outside because the UV rays can penetrate the clouds as well. Wear sunscreen for your health as well as the health and appearance of your skin.