Sun Safety Tips

Sun is out! It’s time to be extra cautious about how to protect your skin when you’re outdoors this summer. We can always have fun in the sun with the proper protection to avoid different types of skin cancer. So let’s take a look at how the sun can affect your skin and how we can start to have a positive and healthy relationship with the sun.

The sun is a great source of vitamin D, boosting serotonin and lowering blood pressure, but we also need to be mindful of its negative impacts. Other than the obvious immediate damage like sunburn, the long-term effects that the sun can have on our skin can lead to very serious health conditions. 

The Sun’s Impact 

The two kinds of UV rays that affect our skin are UVA and UVB. The main difference between the two is UVB causes damage to the exterior layer of the skin (the epidermis) while UVA damage extends into the interior layer (the dermis). This means that UVB rays cause sunburns, freckles and mole changes, and specific types of skin cancers. UVA rays are responsible for other long-term damage, causing wrinkles and other signs of aging.

So what can you do to protect yourself when you’re in the sun?

The best place to start is to know the different types of sunscreen and which one will work best for your skin type. There are mineral sunscreens that physically block the sun’s rays before they penetrate the skin. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, the two active ingredients in mineral sunscreens, are natural, FDA-approved UV filters which makes them a natural and effective option to protect your skin when you’re out at the pool or enjoying a barbecue with your family. 

Chemical sunscreens on the other hand work to absorb UV rays rather than physically blocking the sun’s rays before it has time to penetrate and damage the skin. These sunscreens, given the name, have homosalate, octisalate and octocrylene as the active ingredients which makes them a less natural option compared to mineral sunscreens. 

How do you apply SPF?

Now it’s important to know the best practices for when and how much to apply SPF and one key thing to remember is to apply 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapply at least every two hours if you’re outside. Experts say a cherry-sized amount of product will do for your face and one ounce for your entire body.

Another trick is incorporating SPF into your everyday skincare routine such as using a moisturizer with SPF to add another layer of protection first thing in the morning. A second option is to use a foundation with SPF to add another layer of protection… you can never have enough!

Keep these tips in mind when you’re enjoying the sun this summer to avoid the long-term effects of its exposure!