Protection From The Sun: An Effective Anti-Aging Measure

If you are a fan of the sun and believe you can have plenty of fun because the summer is here, do not forget about safety measures against the sun. According to the Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC), the sun has the potential to damage your skin within 15 minutes. Therefore, as you venture out to have some fun, you should bear in mind the need to protect your skin during all times. What type of safety measures should you adopt to protect your skin from the sun and prevent the advancement of anti-aging?

[su_quote class=”cust-pagination”]“Sun protection doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive — it needs to be consistent…”— Hillary Fogelson [/su_quote]

 Wear Protective Clothing

It is advisable to dress lightly to stay cool, especially when temperatures are soaring. Experts, however, recommend covering up most parts of the body when exposed to sunlight for an extended period. Choose long sleeves and trousers. Also, basically wear clothes with dark colors for protection against the ultraviolet rays of the sun. A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses are also recommended, even if you intend to be in the sun for just a few minutes.

 Using Sunscreen Is Also Recommended

Sunscreen can help in preventing harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun, which can cause premature aging. The damage from the sun is cumulative and continues to develop over time. It can leave behind dark spots, wrinkles, and even has the potential to cause skin cancer. Use sunscreen daily, especially products that contain SPF levels of above 30. The sunscreen you choose must provide coverage over a broad spectrum (UVA and UVB rays).

Apply sunscreen generously on your face, neck, ears, arms, and legs before stepping out in the sun. Sunscreen should be applied every two hours, particularly if you sweat a lot, are swimming, or are involved in other similar activities. Babies below the age of six months are sensitive to sunlight, and experts suggest that you keep them away from exposure to the sun. A zinc oxide-based sunscreen is recommended for very young infants.

 Avoid Tanning Beds 

[su_quote class=”cust-pagination”]“There’s no such thing as a healthy tan.”—Dr. Walayat Hussain [/su_quote]

According to the CDC, the chances of developing melanoma, one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer, are higher among people who do indoor tanning. People who begin early during their adolescence or early adulthood are more susceptible to this issue. When you decide to use tanning beds, you expose your skin to artificial ultraviolet rays, which are extremely harmful to the skin. Minors are prohibited from using indoor tanning beds by the policymakers in several states while in some, children under 18 need to have permission from a parent or guardian.

 Understand Your Skin

If you are intent on using anti-aging measures, you should keep a close watch on the size, shape, color, and diameter of the freckles and moles on your skin. This problem is particularly concerning for people with fair skin because they can easily be affected by the sun.

If you have a family history of skin cancer, you must be careful. Understanding your skin just requires you to watch out for any visible changes on your skin and contact a dermatologist if you notice any changes.If you decide not to adopt safety measures against the sun, you can rest assured you will soon be haunted by problems. Summer can make the days look wonderful and encourage you to step out of your home, but if you are not careful enough, you could be left with an immense skin damage.