How to Protect Skin from Sun and Keep It Healthy
How do you protect your skin from the sun? Photo aging is one of the culprits of premature aging that millions of people suffer from. Many of them undergo early skin aging even in their early 30s, and one of the reasons is sun damage. To prevent it, check out the following tips to help you get started.
Tips to protect skin from the sun
The following are simple and doable practices and tips to help you prevent sun-induced skin damage even in the summer.
Use and slather on a sunscreen even if it is cloudy
Apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to prevent sun damage to the skin. You should also choose one that has a broad-spectrum coverage to protect it from both UVA and UVB rays.
For the best results, you should reapply it every two hours or more often if you’re swimming or exercising outdoors, or engaging in any activity that makes you sweat.
Limit the amount of time you expose your skin to the sun
Experts agree that between 10 am and 4 pm are the times when the sun is at its strongest. If you cannot help it, make sure that you are wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirt.
You should also wear a wide-brimmed hat. Alternatively, you might also want to look for clothes that have sun-protective materials, such as dark colored and with tightly woven fabric.
Are you taking medications that make your skin extra sensitive?
You should review your medications and check with your doctor if they’re making your skin more prone to sun damage. Some of them include high blood pressure medications and anti-inflammatory medications.
Cover your eyes with sunglasses
Eye skin is said to be the most delicate as it is also the thinnest of all. You must shield it with sunglasses. They can protect your eyelid and skin around it from sun damage. They can also block UVA light that can eventually damage your retina.
Sunglasses may also be able to lower your risk of cataracts caused by UVB light.
Avoid tanning
It is one of the causes of skin cancer and skin color change. Know that a suntan isn’t healthy, but it may be a sign of damaged skin. Due to exposure to UV light, the melanin pigment is produced by your skin. Melanin aims at protecting your DNA from long-term sun damage that could lead to skin cancer.
You should also avoid tanning beds, as they’re not safe, too. They produce and release UVA light to fire at your skin, increasing your risk of skin cancer and speeding up premature skin aging.
See a doctor
Are you noticing unusual changes about your skin? Consult your doctor immediately. If you’re noticing blemishes, which become raised or spread out, you should go and consult your doctor.
Drink more water
Dehydration, in case you don’t know yet, is one of the signs of sun damage. Skip the caffeine and alcohol, but aim for two liters of water daily.