How to Use Sunblocks - Interesting Facts You Should Know!
These potent rays can damage your skin and may increase your risk of skin cancer.
UVB rays cause sunburn, while UVA rays which penetrate the skin more deeply, and are associated with aging. UVA’s also exacerbate the carcinogenic effects of UVB rays, and are seen as a major cause of skin cancer on their own. Sunblocks vary in their ability to protect against UVA and UVB damage. Most sunscreens with an SPF of 15+ do an excellent job of protecting against UVB. Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is a measure of a sunscreen's ability to prevent UVB rays from damaging your skin. How much to use and how often should I apply it? Are sunscreens really safe to use? How SPF WorksIf it takes 20 minutes for unprotected skin to start turning red, using an SPF 15 sunscreen theoretically prevents reddening 15 times longer or about five hours. Another way to look at it is in terms of percentages: They may seem like very small differences, but if you have light colored skin or sensitive skin, or have a history of skin cancer, those extra percentages can make a huge difference. However, no sunscreen can block all UV rays. But there are problems with the SPF model; First, no sunscreen, regardless of strength, should be expected to stay effective longer than two hours without reapplication. Second, 'reddening' of the skin is a reaction to UVB rays alone and tells you little about what UVA damage you may be getting. Unfortunately, plenty of sun damage to your skin can be done without getting burned. Who Should Use Sunblocks?Anyone over the age of six months should use a sunscreen daily. Even those who work inside are exposed to ultraviolet radiation for brief periods throughout the day. Most windows do not protect you from UV rays. Children under the age of six months should not be exposed to the sun. Shade and protective clothing are the best ways to protect infants from the sun. Burning your skin is by far the biggest threat! What Type Should I Use?The answer depends on how much sun exposure you're anticipating. In all cases, a broad-spectrum sunscreen offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Many moisturizers and foundations have a built in sunscreen (usually SPF 15 or greater) which is sufficient for everyday activities.
How Much to Use and How Often to Apply?To ensure that you get the full SPF of a sunscreen, you need to apply approximately one ounce for your entire body. Studies show that most people apply only half to a quarter of that amount, which means the actual SPF they have on their body is lower. During a long day at the beach, you should use around 1/4 to 1/2 of an 8 oz. bottle. Sunblocks should be applied 30 minutes before exposure to the sun to allow the ingredients to fully bind into the skin. There are a MILLION + reasons to wear an SPF. They are called ‘the rays of the sun’! The sun’s rays can do a lot of damage if you’re not careful! To conserve your precious skin, choose broad spectrum sunblocks Two products that contain both are Anthelios and Ombrelle by L’Oreal. Anthelios People always get UVA and UVB confused. An easy way to remember it is that: (Difference between ‘A’ and ‘B’) If you don’t protect your skin, your skin will surely age prematurely! You can get tan early in the season by using sunless tanning lotions but you should also wear a sunblock during the hottest parts of the day at least, whether it's summer, winter, spring, or fall. Reapplication of sunscreen is as important as initial application so reapply the same amount every two hours. Sunblocks should be reapplied immediately after swimming or sweating a great deal.
Remember too, that some sun exposure is good for your health! Your body needs sun exposure to help create sufficient amounts of vitamin D, a powerful antioxidant! Just avoid getting burned and build up to a great tan! *Note: - Sunscreens contain many chemicals that can be absorbed into your skin and then into your bloodstream. So far, the studies done on this type of chemical exposure is inconclusive. Whether or not you use one is solely up to you. I use them when I go to the beach but that's not very often. Moderation should be key in all that you do, but is especially important when it comes to chemical exposure. SPF has not been proven to prevent skin cancer either. When you wear SPF, it blocks absorption of vitamin D your body makes from the sun. Lack of vitamin D could be a precurser to cancer. Many years ago, clinics used to make tuberculosis patients sunbathe in the nude for about 20 minutes a day to help cure the disease. Sunscreens may help preserve your skin to some degree, but it may also increase your risk of cancer. If you do wear SPF to keep from getting wrinkles, allow some part of your body stay in the sun [unprotected] for about 15 to 20 minutes a day and make sure you get enough omega 3 fatty acids. Related Pages on This Site Sunless Tanning Lotions - How to Guide Rich Dark Chocolate Facial Masks – A Creamy Sensual Pleasure Tooth Whitening Products - The Big Anti Aging Picture Hyaluronic Acid Benefits - Reduce Wrinkles and Improve Health Boost Skin Moisture to Plump and Revitalize Best Skin Care for Luscious Lips Find the Best Prices Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair L'Oreal Sublime Self Tanning Lotion Neutrogena Sun Fresh Sunless Lotion Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer
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that offer UVA and UVB protection.
contains Anthelios L, which is a total UVA sunblock. 
, which contains Parsol 1789, is also a total UVA sunblock.
