Sometimes the sun does more harm than good. It’s impossible to avoid sunlight, so how can you successfully protect your skin from damage? Below we’ve listed some of the easiest ways to protect your skin from harmful sunlight.
1. Cover Up!
One of the simplest ways to protect your skin from sun damage is to cover up! Damaging sun exposure peaks between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. For most people, these are their most active hours, so staying indoors isn’t really an option. If you’re going to be outdoors around this time, be sure to cover up and wear sunscreen. Dark clothes, made from tightly woven materials absorb harmful ultraviolet light better than most cotton fabrics in lighter shades.
2. Lather On the Sunscreen.
Before you head out the door, spread on the sunscreen. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend individuals wear sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 15 or more. As you apply, make sure you spread it on thick enough. Lathering on a thin coating reduces the effectiveness of the product by about 50 percent. Be sure to grab waterproof sunscreen if you’re going to be swimming that day.
3. Don't Tan - Seriously!
We hate to break it to you, but there’s nothing healthy about tanning. Medical professionals universally agree that tanning is bad for all of us, regardless of your skin tone. If you just can’t give up tanning, at least try to minimize your exposure, and let your skin gradually build up melanin for protection. Avoid tanning oils, entirely. Oils only enhance the damaging nature of ultraviolet rays and increase your chances of burning.
For more information about how to protect your skin from sun damage contact The Medical Spa of Baton Rouge. Our spa specializes in providing treatments that reverse the effects of sun damage and protects skin.
