Here’s everything you need to know about sunscreen this summer! Have any other suggestions? Let us know!
1) The sun’s intensity is the strongest, when your shadow is the shortest. So, apply more sunscreen when you notice your shadow plays hide and seek.
2) Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers, representing more cases than prostate, breast, lung, colon, uterus, ovaries and pancreas cancers combined.
3) Sunscreens help prevent the premature aging of skin from sun exposure.
4) Small children need extra protection.
5) People with dark skin need sunscreen, too. People with dark skin can still develop skin cancer, unfortunately, having dark skin doesn’t exempt you from sun damage.
6) For your face, you need to apply about the size of your ring finger worth of sunscreen.
7) Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before you go out. “The key ingredient of many sunscreens is PABA, or para-aminobenzoic acid, which protects the skin by absorbing ultraviolet light. But PABA has to bind to the skin to be fully effective, and that takes about half an hour once the screen has been applied.”
8) You need sunscreen even on those days where there’s overcast. 80 percent of the sun’s radiation still penetrates the clouds.
9) Re-apply sunscreen every two hours, or more frequently if you’re swimming. Sunscreen will begin breaking down, and it won’t offer you the same coverage and protection.
10) The average sunscreen bottle should contain enough for 8-9 FULL BODY applications, so at the end of your summer, if you still have a bottle left, something’s wrong.
11) Buy a sunscreen that offers “broad spectrum.” à This means that your sunscreen will protect you from both Ultraviolet B light and Ultraviolet A light. Ultraviolet B light is responsible for surface tanning and burning and Ultraviolet A light can penetrate deeper into the skin.
12) Use a sunscreen with a MINIMUM of 15 SPF (sun protection factor). SPF 15 blocks approximately 93 percent of all incoming UVB rays. SPF 30 blocks 97 percent; and SPF 50 blocks 98 percent.
13) Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes and the thin skin around your eyes from sun damage. (Plus, you’ll look cooler)
14) You need sunscreen on your lips and eyelids too.
15) Have fun in the sun!
Credits:
Canadian Living , June 2010
Tags: Cafe, Health & Beauty, Sunscreen
