The sun has many positive points and can do good things for the health of the body and mind. It regulates sleep cycles, stimulates the body's production of vitamin D and increases the sense of well-being. But it can also be very dangerous for our skin if we don't protect ourselves enough.
Indeed exposure to the sun has short and long-term consequences like wrinkles, speed up signs of aging, age spots and skin cancer. The first and direct consequence of the sun is the sunburn: the skin becomes red, it is burnt and becomes very dry and damaged. The consequences of dry skin makes the skin look and feel dry and wrinkled over time. Studies have shown that skin exposed to the sun without protection is more likely to develop wrinkles and dull skin over time.
But you can still enjoy the benefits of the sun by striking a balance between pleasure and protection. We will give you several tips to prevent sun damage.
Put sunscreen all the time
You should protect yourself from the sun, especially on your face, even when you don't see the sun. It is important to apply sunscreen every morning in both summer and winter since the sun is always present behind the clouds and UV rays can pass through whether it is cloudy or not.
Darker or matte skin should be protected from the sun as much as lighter skin. Just because your skin doesn't burn or you don't get sunburned doesn't mean you shouldn't protect yourself as the long-term effects may appear later.
Which Sun Protection Factor to choose
Depending on your skin tone, the protection factor of the sun cream will not necessarily be the same - SPF refers to the length of time that sunscreen protects the skin. Suppose your skin naturally starts to burn in 20 minutes. If you use sunscreen with an SPF of 15, you won't begin to burn for 5 hours. Using a strong SPF is the most advisable whatever your skin type is as the protection is not negligible!
If you have very light skin and you get sunburned very regularly and your skin tans very little or not at all it is advisable to use a SPF 50 which is the strongest factor of protection.
If your skin is medium or slightly matte and you are a brunette, use an SPF between 30 and 50.
Finally if your skin is very dark to black, your skin is effectively protected from the sun but you should still use an SPF between 15 and 30.
Some tips for an afternoon in the sun
Apply your sunscreen before leaving home, preferably in the morning so that it has time to be absorbed by your skin. If you apply it directly when you go out in the sun it will not have time to act. Apply it 20 minutes before exposure.
Once in the sun, remember to apply sunscreen several times a day, preferably every 2 hours and more often if you sweat or get wet. Because sweat, water, sand, towels and clothes wash away the sunscreen and, in addition, the sun's rays damage it, making it less effective. To avoid unpleasant surprises, remember to reapply!
Applying a generous layer of sunscreen is important for effective protection. Sunscreen is white, it's greasy and not very pleasant to apply but your skin will thank you if you don't let it burn in the sun.
Finally, avoid exposure to the sun at midday, between 10am and 4pm is the time of the day when the sun is the most dangerous and the UV rays are more powerful. Try to stay in the shade during these hours or use an umbrella and remember to protect yourself because the sun is dangerous even in the shade.
Benefits of the sun on your skin
After all these recommendations it is important to specify that the sun remains very good for your health with moderation and protection.
Indeed, sunshine brightens your day, as exposure to sunlight stimulates serotonin, one of the feel-good chemicals in the brain. The sun also accelerates the production of vitamin D, an essential vitamin for the body and health. UV rays can make you look good and beautiful skin can have a huge impact on your outward appearance and your morale.
After all these tips you can enjoy the benefits of the sun and while protecting yourself in the right way you can look forward to the beautiful days ahead!
Nawel
Comentarios