The sun can do a lot of damage to your skin cells and epidermal layer. We often forget that lack of sun protection can cause age spots, hyper-pigmentation, wrinkles, and even skin cancer. Black is beautiful, but black CAN crack so be sure to protect your skin now before the damage is irreversible.
Most people only use sunscreen during summer seasons, or at the beach, not knowing that the sun's UV rays can damage our skin cells all year round. The #1 cancer in men and women from ages 25-30 is skin cancer caused by prolonged sun exposure. You must protect your head with hats and your skin with an SPF of 15 or higher lotion. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, and the SPF # tells you how long the product will protect your skin from the sun. Also, don’t even think about hitting up that tanning salon. The UVA radiation from tanning beds are three times as harmful as the sun. You may love the way you look now, but the sun damage will be evident in your mature years. No one wants to look older than they really are.
The sun's UV rays cause 90% of wrinkles, so think harder about that tan before you sit in the sun for hours to achieve a bronzed look. Sun damage is the #1 cause of premature aging; especially in lighter skin, and can lead to dark spots on the skin also called sun spots or hyper-pigmentation. Make sure your SPF 15 or higher sunscreen contains one of these active ingredients: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or azobenzene. No matter your skin color, we all need to wear sunscreen all year round.
Tip: Creams and lotions in tubes last longer than those in jars. Keep moisturizers out of the sun or from direct sunlight from the window. Only keep products that you have opened for up to a year.
Have a great Summer!
