Pursuing the perfect tan might seem like a great idea when we are in our twenties, but as we get older, the perfect tan and unprotected sun exposure can take a toll on our skin. We must learn how to take care of it every day to ensure glowing, more youthful looking skin throughout the years.
When it comes to protecting your body from the sun, it’s important to understand why sun protection is a must, regardless of your age or the time of the year.
To protect your skin, you need to be conscientious of the damaging UVA and UVB rays of the sun. We often see these acronyms on our skin care products, cosmetics and clothing, but do you know what they mean?
UVA and UVB are two very different types of radiation that can damage your skin. To make it simple, remember UVA – A for Aging, as these are the rays that age your skin. And think UVB – B for Burning, as these are the rays that burn your skin.
UVA rays are responsible for skin aging and wrinkling and can contribute to skin cancer. Because UVA rays pass easily through the ozone layer, they make up the majority of sun exposure. UVA rays can pass through clouds, glass and even some clothing. You might not be able to feel them, but they will affect your skin.
UVB rays are responsible for sunburns and cataracts, and they can affect the immune system. Most importantly, UVB rays also contribute to skin cancer.
Sun Protection Factor (SPF) found in our sunscreen products gives you an idea of how long you can stay in the sun before your skin starts to get red. And everybody is different. SPF only applies to the UVB rays. It does not apply to the UVA rays. SPF products come in various levels, including SPF 15, SPF 30, SPF 50 and more. Here’s how they work: let’s say that your skin will start to redden when exposed to the sun in just ten minutes. You would take that ten minutes and multiply it by the SPF number you’re using.
For example, if you’re using an SPF 30 product:
– 10 minutes x 30 (SPF) = 300 minutes
– Take the 300 minutes and divide by 60 minutes, which equals 1 hour
– 300 minutes / 60 minutes = 5
– The result: around 5 hours of standard sun protection
If you’re at the beach or in direct sunshine for extended periods, always be cautious with sunscreen and your chosen sun protection factor. It’s important to not have a false sense of security when it comes to your sunscreen. Many products are not water resistant, so you wouldn’t be able to rely on five hours of protection if you’re swimming or exercising. Also, most sunscreens are intended for normal, everyday sun exposure, not a full day in direct sun. At the beach or while exercising in the sun, you should consider a stronger sunscreen than usual. And as always: apply, apply and reapply.