The arrival of summer means that many people will be spending long days at the lake, beach or pool. Sunny days are the perfect time to be active and soak up some Vitamin D, but be sure to protect your skin and prevent painful sunburn and skin damage.
There are two types of ultraviolet rays associated with sun exposure: UVA and UVB. UVA rays are less intense than UVB but are prevalent throughout the day. They penetrate the skin more deeply than UVB and contribute to skin aging and wrinkling. UVB rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and cause damage to the skin’s superficial layers, causing sunburn.
To protect your skin from these harmful rays, always Slip, Slop, Slap- meaning wear long-sleeved clothing, apply a UVA/UVB sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher, wear a hat, take breaks in the shade during peak hours and pop on UV protective sunglasses. If there is no shade, create your own by using an umbrella.
One common misconception is that skin is not damaged unless you have a sunburn. The truth is that a tan is a sign of damaged skin. Doctors especially caution against the use of indoor tanning beds to achieve a base tan or year-round glow. According to a study by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), people who use tanning beds have a 15 percent higher risk of developing melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer. People who first use a tanning bed before age 35 are 75 percent more likely to develop melanoma.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, one out of five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Most skin cancer is caused by UV radiation or tanning beds, and there are certain factors that can increase your risk. These include a history of sunburn, moles, fair skin, a weakened immune system and family history.
It's so important to remain Sunsafe all year round!
The Block Brush is the no mess, no fuss refillable sunblock brush which is so handy you never have an excuse to not be protected!