Fortunately, there are many people who understand how important it is to protect themselves from the suns harmful rays. Most of us know about the risks of getting sun cancer, among other things, by being out in the sun too long without protection. Even those of us who have the best intentions can make mistakes. For example, did you know that the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) pertains to the UVB rays penetration of the skin? It is not necessarily a guide to how much protection there is against the damaging Ultra Violet (UV) rays. UVB rays have the longest wavelength and therefore reaches deep into the skins layers. UVA come in shorter waves and don’t penetrate as deeply. The following are the most common mistakes people make concerning sun protection.
1. Using old sun cream.
So many people use the same sunscreen that has been sitting around for a few years. All sunblocks and screens have expiration dates and they really mean that they are expired. The active ingredients degrade over time and opened bottles can be filled with bacteria which can contaminate the effective ingredients of the product. You may also have had the lotion on the beach where high temperatures and direct sunlight also weaken the product over time. Be sure to check expiration dates and keep your suncare products out of direct sunlight.
2. You think that sun protection in your makeup is enough.
When you use foundation with SPF in it that doesn’t mean that it is giving you the desired effect. Part of the problem is that you cannot put on a sufficient amount of foundation for it to protect you all day. Few women put on so much makeup that it actually corresponds to the amount of sunscreen you need to get effective protection.
3. Most people don’t use enough.
A lot of people on holiday want to have a nice tan to show off to their friends when they get home. Some thing that is they use just a little bit of sun protection they will get darker faster. In reality they just burn faster and go home red and peeling. Researchers say that you should make sure to allocate plenty of cream or lotion and make sure you massage it in. If you wear sunglasses extra protection is needed for your nose and cheeks.
4. Many people apply their sunscreen or block in the morning and forget about it.
Even the best sun screens and blocks need to be reapplied frequently. If you are sweating or swimming the product my last about 45 minutes. Sitting in the sun up to two hours, depending on how hot is it. For those of you who use it before swimming or exercising, it is best to apply your sun care product and wait for it to penetrate your skin. Even if you are using “water resistant” protection you cant just apply and get wet. The truth is that there are no 100% water resistant products. Reapply often to protect yourself.
5. Using sunscreen or block only when the sun is shining.
It is unbelievable how many people make this mistake. Even on cloudy days you need to protect yourself. Just because you can’t see the sun the UVA/B rays still do their thing. Uv light comes through the thickest clouds and fog and you can get burned just as badly as if you were spending a sunny day at the beach.
We get lots of good advice about using sunscreen or sunblock with an SPF of 30. To most people it would be logical to think that a product with an SPF of 60 is twice as good. This is not so. A product with an SPF of 30, used properly, can block up to 96% of the harmful rays. Using a higher SPF is good but no product on the market today can give you 100% protection. Wearing a hat, sunglasses and clothing, even sitting in the shade can help you protect your skin. Just remember that UV rays reflect off of the water, sand and even concrete. So use your suncare products generously and often.