Sun and Skin
We all know we need to protect our skin from the sun's harmful rays.
Of course, it's impossible to avoid the sun — who wants to hide indoors
when it feels so great to get outside? And the sun's not all bad,
anyway: Sunlight helps our bodies create vitamin D. So follow these tips when you're outdoors to help manage sun exposure:
- Wear sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15,
even if it's cloudy or you don't plan on spending a lot of time
outdoors. If you sweat a lot or go swimming, reapply sunscreen every 1½
to 2 hours (even if the bottle says the sunscreen is waterproof).
- Choose a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Look for the
words "broad spectrum protection" or UVA protection in addition to the
SPF of 15 or greater. Select a sunscreen that says "nonacnegenic" or
"noncomedogenic" on the label to help keep pores clear.
- The sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so reapply
sunscreen frequently and take breaks indoors if you can. If your shadow
is longer than you are tall, then it's a safer time to be in the sun
(you should still wear sunscreen, though).
- Apply more sunscreen (with higher SPF) when you're around reflective surfaces like water, snow, or ice.
- We all know that the sun can damage skin, but did you know it can
contribute to eye problems, too? Protect your face and eyes with a hat
and sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection.
- Some medications, such as prescription acne medications, can
increase your sensitivity to the sun (and to tanning beds). So if you're
taking medication, increase your sun protection.
- If you want the glow of a tan, try faking it with self-tanners. Avoid tanning beds. They still contain some of the same harmful UV rays as the sun.
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