While the lazy days of summer are officially coming to a close, by no means is it a time to pack away the sunscreen. For many, although they may not be spending as much time outdoors, they still require solar protection when they are.
As the hot months begin to drop in temperature, it’s important to maintain solar protection diligence. One cannot be reminded often enough how the sun can wreak havoc on the skin. In addition to causing premature aging with wrinkles, fine lines, sun spots and hyperpigmentation, unprotected sun exposure is still considered the leading cause of skin cancer.
Here is a quick review to ensure skin care health not only in the summer, but all year long.
Skin Protection Strategies
There are indeed methods one can implement to promote their skin care health. They include combining the following guidelines to help ensure the best possible protection:
- Seek shade when possible.
- Apply a waterproof broad spectrum sunscreen with a SPF of 30 and active ingredients of zinc and titanium (SPF 30 can block out up to 97 percent of ultra violet rays).
- Avoid outdoor hours between 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. when the sun is most powerful.
- Wear wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses when outdoors.
- Apply sunscreen even on overcast days.
- Apply sunscreen while in the car since windows cannot ward off all ultraviolet rays.
When sunscreen becomes a daily ritual, it becomes habitual in nature.
Skin Care Health Myths
Undoubtedly, there are skin care myths floating around in and out of cyberspace. However, when it comes to one’s health in avoiding skin cancer, the quicker the myths are discredited, the better.
An annual appointment with a dermatologist will allow a doctor to perform a skin check. Some think that melanoma is found on the face. However, for women it is generally found on the legs, and for men, on the back.
On the other hand, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are generally located on the neck and face.
Another skin care myth is that individuals get majority of their sun exposure when they are children. According to health care professionals, 25 percent is received in a person’s first 20 years of their life. And the other 25 percent of exposure is between the ages of 20 to 40 years of age.
So in essence, it’s never too late to begin a healthy skin care regimen.
Another myth is regarding the shelf life of sunscreen. They do not last for years. Do pay attention to expiration dates and discontinue the use when a bottle has exceeded those dates. Active ingredients in sunscreen become less effective after expiration dates.
Skin Care Health Awareness:
As the effort of skin care health continues in the nation, this spurs individuals to make wiser decisions. As people are living healthier lives, it’s only natural that sunscreen is a piece to the puzzle.
And while checking one’s skin on a monthly basis is wise, it’s never a substitute for an annual appointment with a dermatologist.
