We all know that overexposure to sun not only puts our skin to the risk of premature ageing, dark spots and sunburns, but can also lead to some serious conditions like skin cancer.
So as important it is to remember to wear sunscreen everyday, it is equally vital to know the details of the type of sunscreen you are buying and the right way to use it.
Here are a few important facts you need to be aware of when selecting and using your sunscreen.
1. High SPF doesn’t mean more protection.
The UVA rays damage the skin causing ageing, wrinkles and tanning.
Whereas the UVB rays are responsible for damaging the skin in the form of sunburn or skin cancer.
We basically need protection from both UVA and UVB radiations.
The SPF of a sunscreen actually helps in protecting the skin from only the UVB rays and not the UVA rays.
So rather than buying a sunscreen of higher SPF, we need a broad-spectrum sunscreen.
A sunscreen with an SPF 30 to 50+ can be good enough for the protection of the skin as long it’s a broad spectrum one.
2. Sunscreens expire too.
Sunscreens also have an expiry date and they do not solve the purpose once they’ve crossed it .
So think before using last summer’s sunscreen from your beauty cabinet. It has probably lost its protecting power by now.
3. Sunscreens don’t work all day long.
No matter how high the SPF, the sunscreen is effective only for a couple of hours.
The skin uses up the active ingredients of the sunscreen overtime. It needs to be reapplied regularly in order to get its full benefits.
4.There is no such thing as ‘water proof ‘ sunscreen.
A sunscreen can be water resistant but it can never be water proof.
Even if it is water resistance, it tends to wear off faster in water or sweat and is generally only effective for about 40 to 80 minutes. So it should be reapplied on regular intervals.
5. Spray sunscreens are not always the best option.
While you may find the spray sunscreens much convenient and easy to use but using them can actually have an adverse effect on your health.
It’s likely that you will inhale some of it when you spray it on your body.
This might cause certain health problems because the chemicals in the sunscreen are not meant to be inhaled.
So now you know that just buying a sunscreen and wearing it won’t necessarily protect your skin unless you pay attention to the details and choose the one that is right for you.
And remember you should always consult with your dermatologist whenever in doubt.