With summer poking its sunny head round the corner it's a good time to brush up on some sun and skin facts. With May being Skin Cancer Awareness Month, there's no time like the present to get informed and implement safe practice while being sunny side.
Source: Pinterest
Who doesn't love a sun-kissed glow we ask! However with that sun-kissed glow comes harmful UVA/UVB rays which not only accelerates skin ageing but also alter the skins DNA which can lead to serious precancerous and cancerous lesions. SPF can be a pesky process while sunbathing and spending time outdoors, however, it is necessary to proactively protect your skin to keep it looking young, healthy and keep skin cancer risk at bay.
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can negatively affect the skin. It could cause premature ageing, sunburn, and precancerous and cancerous lesions. UVA may cause accelerated skin ageing and pigmentation, while UVB can cause sunburn and can cause your DNA strands to break. SPF works by two methods, either by blocking the sun's rays with an opaque coating on the skin (physical sunscreens), or by causing a chemical reaction so that the UV rays are absorbed and transmuted into another type of energy (chemical sunscreens).
SPF numbers can be confusion so let's put it this way - the higher the SPF number means the greater amount of protection you’ll get. SPF numbers vary which tell you the level of protection you can expect. Low-protection is considered anything with an SPF below 15, medium-protection ranges from SPF 15 to 29 an an SPF between 30 and 49 offers high-protection. With SPF50 being the highest, it is considered to block out 99% of UV.
While there are other contributing factors, it's important to take additional precautions which we've narrowed down for you so you can both enjoy the sun and be safe!
- Choose a broad spectrum sunscreen that covers UVA/UVB, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are considered broad-spectrum and preferable for pregnancy.
- Apply your sunscreen before you throw on your cute swimwear, preferably 30min before sun exposure.
- Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours as the sun can dry it off and especially if you sweat, remembering to apply equally and evenly.
- While applying water-resistant sunscreen which is highly recommended for pool and beach days, you would need to reapply sunscreen after every contact with the water.
- Staying in the shade during peak hours normally between 10am-2pm, in countries where the summer days are long this extends to 4pm.
- Wear a large brimmed hat that covers sensitive and easy-to-burn areas such as your face, ears and neck.
- About 80 percent of UV rays can penetrate the clouds and the snow while sand and water can reflect the sun's rays. So don't be fooled and keep applying that sunscreen!
We understand that not all sunscreens are created equal. It can be hard to find a trusted brand that offers genuine broad-spectrum protection that allows you to be safe in the sun but that is also non-sticky, won't leave a thick white cast or clog your pores! We've rounded up the best SPF's for you here at Powder Beauty.
