How to be Sun-Wise

In order to prevent disease and keep your skin healthy, it is important to learn how to be sun-wise, preventing the sun from being absorbed into your skin.

The rays from the sun can be damaging to skin. As you get older, overexposure to the sun can cause things as simple as uneven colouring of your skin and age spots. It can also cause serious problems such as a cancer called Melanoma, which can be deadly, or Actinic Keratosis, which can progress into another type of cancer known as squamous cell carcinoma.

Sunscreen is your first defense against the deadly UV rays from the sun

Applying sunscreen every two hours while out in the sun is vital. Rather than just dabbing a little here and a little there, slather it on, covering every inch of exposed skin. You also want to make sure that you buy the strongest sunscreen available. At least an SPF of 45 is needed to block all of the sun’s rays.

The sun can also damage your lips

The next time you buy a lip moisturizer or colour, try to find one with sunscreen in it. This will not only keep your lips from burning, but you can also prevent the dry, chapped look that so many people struggle with.

Wearing a hat can shade your face, head, and if the brim is wide enough it can shade your neck

These are the areas of your body most sensitive to sun exposure. The hat will block and deflect the sun’s rays and protect any patches of skin you may have missed when applying your sunscreen.

Our eyes are one of the most important parts of our bodies

Damage done to your eyes accumulates over time and cannot heal itself. Excessive sun exposure can cause problems from cataracts to blindness. Wearing sunglasses with UV protection is your best bet.

Dark sunglasses without UV protection can actually be bad for your eyes. They cause the pupils to dilate, exposing more of the lens and retina to the dangerous rays.

Sun damage does not only affect adults

From the first time you step into the sun as a child, the UV rays are working at you. Instances of children contracting melanoma, uneven skin colouring, and the many other signs of sun damage are on the rise.

Just because the weather is cool or slightly cloudy does not mean you cannot be burned

The burn does not come from the heat of the sun but rather from the light. Even in the winter on a snowy day, if the sun is shining, you are exposed to the harmful rays.

Learning about the effects of UV rays is important no matter where you live or what time of year it is. Knowing how to be sun-wise can help you to avoid deadly disease, and keep your skin young looking longer.