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Sunscreens are an effective way of protecting your skin
from the harmful Ultra-Violet (UV) rays of the sun. Even when wearing
sunscreens, your skin will still tan. The American Medical Association
recommends you wear at least an SPF of 15 on a daily basis, year around,
to reduce the risk of sun damage and skin cancers. Recent medical
guidelines recommend the usage of SPF 30 protection products from March
through October in the northern hemisphere. Many clients prefer
moisturizers and SPF in one product to make skin care quick, simple and
effective.
SPF means sun protection factor and is an indicator of how much longer
you can be in the sun before burning is seen with it than without it.
Note the key words: “before burning or redness are visible.” This does
not mean that you aren’t damaging your skin in the interim. Sun burns
come from UVB damage. Long term this leads to skin cancers. While UVA
rays are less likely to cause a burn they are considered the chief
culprit behind wrinkling, leathering, skin discolorations and other
aspects of “photo-aging.” Recent studies show that UVA exacerbates the
UVB carcinogenic effects and may also induce some skin cancers including
melanoma. Rubbing the area where the sun protection product is applied,
sweating or exposure to water can cause the protection to be
compromised. Some SPF products are water resistant but these can have a
heavier feel to them.
Some physicians advise their clients that if you can see outside without
a flashlight you need to be wearing SPF protection. This is a dramatic
position change from 20 years ago when we only applied it when we were
going to be out in the sun. Now SPF is part of morning care. Brush
teeth, apply SPF. These habits will lead to maturing adults with younger
looking skin and far fewer brown spots, white spots, textural changes
and wrinkles. It’s a good thing.
Doctors say wrinkles are NOT normal - they are a sign of environmental
damage - usually sun damage. Prevention is the best medicine.
How much SPF do you need? A Fitzpatrick guide tells you how at risk you
are. Basically the paler your coloration the more sensitive to the sun
you are. However all skins are subject to sun damage.
We women aren’t likely to remove our makeup and re-apply during the day
just so we can refresh our SPF. We don't want to fuss with it. We want
to do something simple in the morning and be pretty well set for the
day. The good news is that It can be done without feeling like we are
slathered with a heavy greasy product.
Cleanse the skin first and apply a coating of Vitamin C. Vitamin C is a
protector and enhancer of SPF products. Want to prevent or eliminate
brown spots? You need vitamin C. Apply a fat drop of
Vitamin C Reversal
Serum. Allow to dry then apply your SPF. If you want to ensure
long lasting protection after your SPF has soaked into your skin apply a
second coat. You have just doubled your sun protection.
Traveling? Start wearing SPF around the clock about 3 days before
departure. This will cause a build up in your skin and help prevent a
damaging burn. The first burn will hurt and cause an immune reaction
that leaves you open to infections and colds. The second burn sets you
up for permanent cellular damage...prevention is much easier than
repair. Some people think if they use a tanning bed to “jump-start”
their tan this is safer. There are no studies that document this. UVA
rays emitted in the tanning bed are more powerful than the UVA rays that
occur naturally from the sun. What they are doing is expose their bodies
at close range to intensive doses of UVA the aging ray as well as x-rays
which are emitted from both ends of the bulb and EMF which is emitted
from the magnetic ballast used by most tanning beds.
Want to know more about the UV danger level in your area today? Visit
The Intellicast UV Report.
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