Summer is here and it’s warming up outside, we’re shedding our layers of clothing and exposing more skin. But, as many of the skin-protection campaigns are saying, we need to practice safe sun. So I have taken the time to put together a list of what I believe to be good safe sun practices. Here are what I believe is the top 10 most important sun-care facts that we should all know.Maybe after you read these facts you will consider wearing a good SPF sun protection.
1. Forty percent of Americans do not wear sunscreen.
2. One in five Americans will get some form of skin cancer—men especially, since they don’t use makeup and moisturizers with SPF like women do.
3. A sunblock is opaque and contains physical filters that create a shield-like barrier. A sunscreen is transparent on your skin. Although both protect against UVA and UVB rays, sunblock is said to be safer since you don’t have to apply it as often. Great for those who don’t reapply after washing hands, during long-session in the sun and post-water.
4. Chemical sun filters absorb into your skin and possibly into your bloodstream. Some deem them to be less safe as they are also more likely to irritate your skin. Three of the most common are avobenzone, oxybenzone and octinoxate.
5. Physical sun filters sit on top of your skin, thus creating a white or purple-ish hue and are considered the safer. Two physical filters are zinc oxide and titanium oxide.
6. While chemical sunscreens take around 25 minutes to work, physical sunblock formulas get to work instantly.
7. Don’t buy into the spray sunscreen hype. You won’t get the max coverage you need and most of it will blow away in the wind! Lotion is best—opt for an oil-free formula for a more comfortable feeling on your skin.
8. Wearing a dark, wide-brimmed hat is the equivalent to around an SPF 33. Plus it will protect your hair color from fading and prevent scalp sunburn.
9. Don’t be deceived by higher SPF numbers—the difference between is pretty negligible. Aim for SPF 50 max.
10. Stress? Age? Nope! The biggest factors of visible skin damage are UVA and UVB rays.
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