How To Protect Skin From Sun Damage

How To Protect Skin From Sun Damage – Protecting your skin from sun damage is one of the easiest and most important ways to take care of your health.

While most of us may think we know how to protect ourselves from the sun, it’s surprising how much we can miss.

How To Protect Skin From Sun Damage

Spending time outside in the sunlight is a great way to stay active, reduce stress, and get a healthy dose of vitamin D. But while there are many benefits to sunlight, it’s also important to protect your skin from sun damage.

How To Prevent Sun Damaged Skin!

The sun’s UV rays can cause a number of problems including sunburn, heat stroke, premature aging, and also increases the risk of developing types of skin cancer.

In fact, research suggests that around 90% of skin aging is caused by the sun, and according to Cancer Research UK, up to 9 out of 10 cases of melanoma skin cancer can be prevented by enjoying the sun safely.

Anyone who spends time outdoors should use sunscreen. This includes whether you are black or have dark skin and whether or not you have sensitive skin because your skin can be affected by the sun regardless of whether you burn or not.

All sunscreens are labeled with a sun protection factor (SPF) that rates how effective they are at blocking ultraviolet (UV) rays. The higher the number, the more protection is provided.

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It is advisable to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen because these filter out ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. UVA rays are the most responsible for premature aging and skin cancer because they penetrate deep into the skin, while UVB rays affect the surface of the skin and cause sunburn.

Some sunscreens contain ingredients that can irritate the skin. If you have sensitive skin, it is worth consulting your doctor or dermatologist for advice.

It’s easy to think that you only need to use sunscreen during the summer months or when the sun is out. But the truth is that it is important to protect your skin all year round – even when the sun may not be visible.

Research shows that up to 80% of the sun’s UV rays are still present on cloudy days. As a result, experts recommend using at least SPF 15, regardless of the weather.

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According to the NHS, the sun is at its strongest between 10am and 3pm – so where possible, it’s worth seeking shade or blocking out the light at this time.

At noon, the sun is also higher in the sky – and therefore stronger – because the rays have the shortest distance to travel on Earth. Therefore, another important tip is to practice the law of the shadow: if your shadow is shorter than you, this means that the sun’s rays are strong and you should consider getting a shade.

You can also use the UV indicator to determine the sun’s strength. When the UV index is three or higher, this means that the sun is strong enough to cause damage.

Therefore, when exposed to these surfaces or around you it is important to consider that some means of protection – such as sun hats or umbrellas – will not be able to protect you from any UV rays reflected from the ground.

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If you are heading to a ski resort or anywhere else at a high altitude, remember that the UV rays will also increase in intensity.

Diet plays a big role in how we adapt to our environment. When it comes to sun damage, science suggests eating foods rich in lycopene can provide protection from the sun by reducing the effects of UV light.

Lycopene is a pigment found in red, orange, and yellow fruits and vegetables – for example, watermelon, tomatoes, red oranges, pink guava, pink grapes, green peppers, papaya and carrots.

What we wear plays a big role in how we can be affected by the sun. In general, dark, long and dry clothing provides more protection, but this may not always be the case.

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Like the SPF rating of sunscreen, clothing is rated by the ultraviolet protection factor (UBF). Fabrics rated below UBF 15 are not considered UV protective and will require additional protection such as sunscreen to be worn alongside them. A UBF rating of 50 or higher is considered to provide the best protection because it allows less than 2% of UV transmission. For example, a standard white cotton t-shirt has a UBF rating of less than 15.

The Expert Advice website has more information on how to choose sun protective clothing (UPF). However, if your clothing doesn’t have a UBF label, the Skin Cancer Institute has some useful advice on how to dress for sun protection – including colour, fabric, fit and coverage.

Wearing sun hats, sarongs and beach covers is another important way to protect yourself.

Limiting your time in the sun can help protect your skin and prevent other heat and sun issues such as heat rash and sun stroke.

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How long it is safe to be in direct sunlight will depend on a few factors including the amount of sunlight, altitude, sunscreen SPF and your skin type. This calculator from Omni Calculator will help give you an accurate idea of ​​how long it is safe to stay in the sun based on these factors.

According to experts, some of the common symptoms of overexposure to the sun include skin that bruises or tears easily, rashes, chapped lips, high body temperature, and brown spots.

Along with protecting our skin from the sun, we need to consider how our eyes are affected by the sun as well. Excessive sun exposure can cause symptoms such as dry, watery eyes, and increase the risk of cataracts.

Fortunately, sunglasses do a good job of killing two birds with one stone by protecting our eyes and the surrounding skin at the same time.

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Experts recommend wearing sunglasses that block 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Some prescription glasses and contacts also offer UVA and UVB protection, but it’s worth talking to an eye care professional first.

The larger the lenses, the more protection they provide, and wraparound sunglasses can help prevent UV rays from filtering in through the sides. It’s also worth considering the condition of your sunglasses, as scratches and scuffs can reduce UV protection and compromise the lens and frame.

Eating a variety of nutrients – including protein, antioxidants, collagen, and antioxidants can enhance skin health, help prevent damage, and contribute to repair.

Sunburns can happen when we least expect it and even when we’re not out for long, it’s still important to be aware of the sun’s UV rays and make sure you protect yourself.

How To Prevent Skin Damage Caused By The Sun

Activities like walking the dog or getting in and out of your car may not seem as obvious as a day trip to the beach, but according to research, these can add up over time. For example, the Skin Cancer Foundation says that random sun exposure accumulated over a lifetime is associated with an increased risk of skin cancer.

This study also found that people with more skin damage on one side of their face spent more of their work driving. In fact, it even found that American drivers have more skin cancer on the left side of their face.

Some medications can make us more susceptible to sun damage, either by causing photosensitivity, or chemical changes in the skin that make the skin more sensitive to sunlight.

Medicines that do this include acne treatments, antibiotics, and antidepressants. If you are currently taking any medications, most will have labels that indicate any increased sensitivity. However, if you are unsure or would like more information and advice, it is always worth speaking to your doctor.

Why (most) Sunscreens Are Not Protecting Your Skin From Sun Damage

Protecting ourselves from the sun’s UV rays is important for a number of reasons – particularly to reduce our risk of developing forms of skin cancer and conditions such as cataracts.

For more health information, go to the general health section of our website where you’ll find everything from diet and nutrition guidelines to tips to increase your longevity.

Francesca Williams is a lifestyle writer at Rest Less. He joined Rest Less in early 2021 after gaining a first class degree in History at the University of Sheffield and qualifying as an NCTJ Gold Standard Journalist. Francesca writes on a variety of lifestyle topics, specializing in health, history, and arts and culture. In her spare time, Francesca likes to keep busy and enjoys going for walks, playing netball, going to the gym, getting involved with her local church, and spending time with friends and family.

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