We have all heard the warnings about how important it is to use sunscreen, haven’t we? Apparently many of us aren’t listening. Research on the topic suggests that perhaps as many as 40% of us never use sunscreen, even when we know we are going to be exposed to excessive sunlight.
For this reason, skin cancer is one of the leading forms of cancer in the United States. Over 100 million Americans each year get sunburns. In addition to skin cancer, overexposure to the sun can cause pre-mature aging of the skin, wrinkles, age spots and the proliferation of moles. Daily use of sunscreen will help reduce the chances of serious skin damage. Thus it will help keep the skin smooth and soft and help maintain its youthful appearance.
It is important to note that damage can be done even if you don’t get a sunburn. Sunscreen should be used when spending any length of time outdoors. Most experts recommend a sunscreen with an SPF15 rating, or possibly higher depending on the conditions. It is important to make sure the sunscreen you choose protects against both Ultraviolet A (UVA) rays and Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.
Part of the reason so many of us don’t properly protect ourselves from sunlight is that applying sunscreen is viewed as a hassle. This doesn’t have to be the case. It is easy to make the application of sunscreen part of your daily skincare routine. For example, if you are already using a daily moisturizer, consider using one which includes a sunscreen. There are many available. However you do it, make protecting your skin from the sun a priority. Our skin is the organ that protects the rest of our body’s structures and it is very important that we make every effort possible to protect it.
