Summertime is almost here and that means lots more sunshine and fun in the sun. During this time of the year, it’s more important than ever to use sunscreen when engaging in outdoor activities during the day. In these situations, our skin is more likely to get damaged by harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. UV rays can even be harmful on cloudy days and cause various skin problems over time.
Thankfully, sunscreen can help protect our skin from the sun and make it possible to have fun outdoors without getting burnt. Don’t have an SPF routine yet? Then keep reading to learn why it’s so important to use sunscreen to protect ourselves.
Reduce the Risk of Developing Skin Cancer
Did you know that skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the United States? Most skin cancer cases are due to too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. UV rays damage the skin and their radiation can come from the sun, tanning salons, and sunlamps. This damage can lead to abnormal growth of skin cells and develop into three major types of skin cancer – basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
Sunscreen is an essential part of a skin protection strategy and helps reduce the risk of skin cancers and skin precancers. Using an SPF 15 sunscreen every day can cut the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma by around forty percent and reduce melanoma risk by half.
Prevent Sunburn
If you spend too much time under the sun or utilize tanning beds, your risk of getting sunburnt goes up significantly. Unfortunately, sunburns cause the skin to become red, painful, and hot to the touch. They can occur after only a few hours of overexposure to UV rays and take up to two weeks to heal. Repeated overexposure can increase the likelihood of other skin problems such as wrinkles, dark spots, and skin cancer developing.
To help prevent and protect against sunburns, sunscreens with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30+ or more should be applied to the skin. Children and adults with more sensitive skin should use an even higher SPF. Broad-spectrum screens offer the best protection as they shield the skin from a variety of UV rays including UVA, UVB, and UVC. Make sure to select a waterproof sunscreen if engaging in any type of water sports or activities.
Slow the Aging Process for Skin
Increased exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause significant damage to the appearance of skin over time. Thankfully, sunscreen use can help prevent this damage from happening and slow down aging skin. In fact, studies have shown that people who use a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day show 24 percent less skin aging than those that use sunscreen on occasion.
Sun exposure reduces collagen in the skin and causes it to become less smooth and firm. UV rays can also dilate blood vessels and cause the skin to appear more reddish. Additionally, sun exposure can increase pigmentation that leading to blotchy-looking skin. Fortunately, using a daily broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more can help improve the skin’s clarity and texture.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many great reasons to utilize sunscreen on a regular basis. Doing so can help protect your body from skin cancer and other serious skin complications. Sunscreen is also a great tool for preventing sunburns caused by overexposure to UV rays. It can slow down the skin’s aging process by helping shield collagen and pigmentation in the body from reacting to adverse effects of ultraviolet radiation. For these reasons and more, make sure to find a sunscreen that works for you and use it on a daily basis for maximum benefit.