Why you need to put on sunscreen

As long as the sun is out or you go out during the day, you need to slap on some sunscreen to protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun.

The human race benefits from the sun in several ways - it provides us with energy, it is a source of light, it aids the growth of plants, through photosynthesis, it enables plants to recycle carbon dioxide into oxygen and more. It’s also a great source of vitamin D for us.

However unprotected and extended exposure to the sun is detrimental to our skin. The sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays not only cause your skin to age and become wrinkly, but can cause sunburns and even skin cancer.

Sunscreen come in different forms - gel, lotion, or even a spray. American Academy of Dermatology advises that sunscreen used should be Broad-spectrum protection (protects against ultraviolet (UVA and UVB) rays), Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 30 or higher and Water resistant. It should be applied 15 minutes before you go out in the sun.

The integral elements of the sunscreen usually work to protect the skin by reflecting the radiation or by absorbing the sun’s UV radiation, stopping it from getting to the deep layers of the skin.

Truth is sunscreen application alone cannot protect you from the harmful effects from the sun.

Here are some other precautions you need to take:

Wear clothing that protects your skin such as a hat, long pants, long sleeve shirts.
Protect your eyes, wear sunglasses.
Don’t stay out in the sun too long.
Try and find shade if you are out in the sun.
Get your vitamin D from somewhere else.