Protecting Your Skin from Sun Damage

In our beautiful world, the sun is the source of life and energy for all living beings. However, in recent years, the intensity of the sun has increased significantly. Variations in the ozone layer of the atmosphere, which is primarily responsible for absorbing harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun, and various environmental pollutants have led to a gradual increase in global temperatures. The impact of this is particularly noticeable on our skin. Whether indoors or outdoors, we are constantly exposed to the sun in one way or another. Worryingly, despite using various skincare products, we often neglect to protect our skin from the harmful effects of the sun. This can lead to various skin problems such as tanning, acne, and premature aging. Along with using sunscreen correctly, there are certain things to keep in mind.

 

 

Use Sunscreen

There’s no substitute for sunscreen when it comes to keeping our skin healthy and beautiful. But do you know how sunscreen actually works? The sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays gradually damage our skin. These rays cause sunburn, dark spots, and can even increase the risk of skin cancer.

Sunscreen is a formulation, typically in the form of a cream, gel, or lotion, that protects our skin from these harmful rays. Sunscreen contains SPF or Sun Protection Factor, which indicates how much a sunscreen can protect our skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays.

There are two types of ultraviolet rays emitted from the sun that are responsible for skin damage:

• UVA (Ultra Violet Type-A): This penetrates deep into the skin, reaching the hypodermis layer. It breaks down skin elasticity, leading to wrinkles, age spots, and loss of skin’s natural glow.
• UVB (Ultra Violet Type-B): This damages the upper layer of the skin, causing sunburn. UVB rays damage skin cells, which can increase the risk of skin cancer in the long run.

The higher the SPF, the better the protection against UVB, and the more ++ PA, the better the protection against UVA. Therefore, it is important to apply a skin-suitable sunscreen with a good SPF at least 15-20 minutes before going out. And of course, you need to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours. When we go out and are exposed to direct sunlight, the active ingredients in our sunscreen become less effective. Therefore, it is necessary to reapply sunscreen every 2-3 hours.

 

 

Sunscreen for Different Skin Types

People are gradually becoming more aware of sunscreen. But many still believe that any type of sunscreen can be used on the skin. This is not correct. Again, those who have a lot of acne or skin problems avoid using sunscreen altogether. They think that using sunscreen will make the skin oily and cause more problems. One thing to keep in mind is that if the skin is not prepared before sun exposure, problems like acne, dark spots, wrinkles, and fine lines will worsen. And sunburn makes the skin very sensitive, leading to irritation. Therefore, today, many types of sunscreens are available in the market according to skin needs. The requirements and formulation of sunscreen may vary for each skin type.

• For oily or acne-prone skin: For this type of skin, you need to be careful when choosing sunscreen. For example, use mineral-based sunscreens with a water or gel formulation that are non-comedogenic, meaning they do not clog skin pores. And if someone wants to use chemical sunscreen, sunscreen with ingredients like octinoxate and avobenzone is good for acne-prone skin.
• For dry skin: Sunscreens enriched with Shea butter, glycerin, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid provide hydration to the skin as well as protection from sunburn.
• For combination skin: Use a sunscreen with a mattifying finish formulation that is quickly absorbed into combination skin and provides hydration.
• For sensitive skin: Use a fragrance-free physical sunscreen with aloe vera or chamomile. This protects the skin from sunburn while reducing skin irritation.

 

 

 

Reapply sunscreen every 2-3 hours

When we go outdoors and are directly exposed to the sun, the active ingredients in our sunscreen breaks down and become less effective. Therefore, it is necessary to reapply sunscreen every 2-3 hours.

 

Wear Long and Comfortable Clothing

As the day progresses, the intensity of the sun increases. Spending a lot of time outdoors can often lead to tanning or sunburn due to excessive heat. Therefore, it is advisable to wear long-sleeved shirts and face covers like scarves or cloth masks before going out. This prevents the sun’s heat from directly reaching the skin. And protects skin from severe sun damage.

 

Stay in the Shade

Excessive sun exposure can cause UV rays to penetrate deep into the skin, damaging our DNA. This can lead to premature wrinkles and fine lines, a condition known as ‘Photoaging’. So, whenever possible, to use an umbrella or stay in shaded areas when outdoors.

 

 

 

 

To maintain a healthy and beautiful life, we need to pay attention to all aspects of skincare. By following a few simple habits in our daily lives, we can easily solve many major skin problems.