Sun's Out Fun's out
Getting a natural tan is a sign of being healthy and being attractive. No wonder many people rush off to the beach at the onset of summer with their tanning lotions and laze away on a towel for hours at end. The result is healthy tanned skin which people like to flaunt all day long. People often believe that a perfectly tanned skin improves their personality and the texture of their skin. However, it is not advisable to be in direct sunlight for a long time. Excess exposure of the skin to sunlight can actually damage the skin and is the leading cause of skin cancer all around the world.
Sunscreen does amazing things for your complexion, above and beyond preventing you from getting scorched. Put sunscreen on daily and you'll look younger over time.
How to properly protect yourself:
Avoid peak hours
The harmful
UV rays of the sun are strongest when it's directly overhead (between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.), so do your best to avoid sun exposure during those times. Go to the beach or plan your outdoor activities for earlier or later in the day, or simply choose to relax in the shade. Remember that UV intensity doesn't have to do with temperature or the brightness of the sun — it's about the angle of the rays. So, even if you don't think it feels particularly hot outside, you could be doing serious damage to your skin during these peak hours.
Wear a hat
Hats are an easy way to protect yourself from the sun. The American Cancer Society recommends a hat with "at least a 2- to 3-inch brim all around to protect the neck, ears, eyes, forehead, and scalp." Hats that provide an ideal amount of shade can be found in sporting and outdoor supply stores. Avoid straw hats because they often aren't finely woven and can let some of the UV rays reach your
skin. Whichever hat you choose, make sure that it's comfortable. It's not going to protect you if you end up taking it off!
Skip the tanning bed
A study of 106,000 Scandinavian women concluded that those who used a
tanning bed at least once a month boosted their skin cancer risk by 55 percent. And if such tanning sessions began during the women's 20s, the numbers were even higher. For a safer alternative to the sun-kissed look, try a self-tanning lotion or spray-on tanning, which interact with the amino acids in the skin's surface to create a browner tone but don't involve melanocytes (skin cells that can become skin cancer). Or, try the safest option of all: a temporary bronzer.
Wear protective clothing
It's important to
cover the skin whenever possible, but not all clothing provides the same benefits. A white T-shirt, for instance, only provides the equivalent protection of a sunscreen with an SPF of 4. Better bets and safer solutions are darker colors or tightly woven fabrics.
Check for moles often
Check your
moles regularly, especially if you have a family history of skin cancer. The National Cancer Institute suggests standing naked in front of a full-length mirror. Begin with the face and work your way downward. Use a handheld mirror for hard-to-see areas. Look for a
change in moles, particularly a new black mole or a change in outline, shape, size, color, or feel. It's a good idea to take pictures or notes. If you notice any changes, see your doctor right away.
How to choose the Perfect sunscreen:
Keep these simple rules in mind before you shell out money for a sunscreen.
Look for the term broad-spectrum or UVA/UVB protection on the label. The familiar SPF number isn't enough, because it refers only to protection against UVB rays (the ones responsible for burning skin); you need a sunscreen that also fends off at least some UVA rays (which don't burn but can break down collagen and age skin)
Crunch the numbers. You may think that a daily moisturizer with SPF 15 is adequate if all you'll be doing is heading to the office and running errands during lunch. And, true, it's better than nothing. But the American Academy of Dermatology now recommends bumping that up to an SPF 30 for daily use; if you'll be in the sun for an extended period, a moisturizer or sunscreen with SPF 50 is ideal. Don't forget the broad-spectrum protection and reapply often, especially after breaking a sweat or taking a swim.
Ease dry or sensitive skin. Opt for creamy formulas packed with hydrators such as oat protein or sodium hyaluronate (the latter attracts water from the air and binds it to skin) along with omega-3s, essential fatty acids that are also deeply moisturizing. To further seal in moisture, apply when skin is a bit damp, Dr. Sobel says. Prone to mystery rashes? Use formulas that contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide—physical protectors that deflect UV light and are less apt to be irritating. They can leave a white sheen on skin, though, so dab lightly on your face, then rub in completely (rather than pouring a blob in your hands).
Erase lines and wrinkles. Look for a sunscreen laced with antioxidants such as vitamins E and C, caffeine, coffeeberry or niacin. Antioxidants fight free radicals before they lead to wrinkles and cancer. For the highest level of protection, apply a separate antioxidant serum to skin first; serums are ultra-thin and designed to penetrate deeply into skin.
Exfoliate face with total facial cleanser and body with exfoliating body scrub. Apply a small amount to entire body and face like a lotion, blending thoroughly. Allow to penetrate a few minutes before applying Image Daily Defense moisturizers for daily protection. Wash hands thoroughly after application.
