Sun And The Skin
The sun can do a
lot of good. It regulates sleep cycles, stimulates the body's production of
vitamin D, and enhances feelings of well-being. But there's also a downside:
Exposure to sun can lead to wrinkles, age spots, and skin cancer.
In fact,
sunshine is considered the single biggest cause of visible aging. But you don't
have to succumb to the damaging rays. Even if you haven't been sun savvy in the
past, it's never too late to start protecting your skin, says Darrell S. Rigel,
MD, clinical professor of dermatology at New York University School of Medicine
in New York City. Here are a few important skin care tips for sun protection.
Avoid
sun exposure
The
best way to prevent a sunburn is to avoid sun exposure.
Stay
out of the midday sun (from 10 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon), which is
the strongest sunlight. Find shade if you need to be outdoors.
The
best way to prevent a sunburn is to avoid sun exposure.
Stay
out of the midday sun (from 10 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon), which is
the strongest sunlight. Find shade if you need to be outdoors.
Wear Protective clothing
- Other
ways to protect yourself from the sun include wearing protective clothing, such
as:
• Hats with wide 4 in. (10 cm) brims that cover
your neck, ears, eyes, and scalp.
- Sunglasses with UV ray protection, to prevent eye damage.
- Loose-fitting, tightly woven clothing that
covers your arms and legs.
- Clothing made with sun protective fabric.
These clothes have a special label that tells you how effective they are in
protecting your skin from ultraviolet rays.
Sunscreen
protection
- If
you can't avoid being in the sun, use a sunscreen to help protect your skin while you are in
the sun.
-
Be sure to read the
information on the sunscreen label about its SPF value and how much protection
it gives your skin. Follow the directions on the label. For
applying the sunscreen so it is most effective in protecting your skin from the
sun's ultraviolet rays.
- Water washes sunscreen off, and the
cooling effect of the water can make you think you're not getting burned. Water
also reflects ultraviolet (UV) rays, increasing your exposure.Water-resistant
sunscreen is needed if sweating or contact with water is likely.
- Sunscreen should be reapplied
straight after you've been in water – even if it's "water
resistant" – and after towel drying, sweating, or when it may
have rubbed off.