Did you know that even a short walk to that café down the street or the bus stop every morning can result in skin damage? Simply, because even a few minutes in the sun are enough to cause sun damage to your skin.
The harmful UV rays penetrate your skin, causing deep skin damage that later becomes visible in the form of tanning, sun-spots, pigmentation and fine lines.
Which is why, your skin needs a complete protection sunscreen to shield it from these rays.
Here are some common myths about sunscreens, debunked; with some not so common facts.
1. It’s good to have a healthy tan:
Reality: There is no such thing as a healthy tan. However mild your tan is, it is proof of deep skin damage. The sun’s UV rays penetrate the skin’s outer layers, triggering off cells called melanocytes. These cells produce a pigment called melanin which rises to the skin’s surface and tans the skin.
Deep within your skin, cells continue to be affected by UVA rays that eventually surface on the skin as fine lines and sun spots and much more.
2. I am dusky skinned, I don’t need sunscreen.
Reality: Sun damage doesn’t depend on your complexion. True, dark skin implies a presence of a higher amount of melanin in the skin – offering more natural protection as compared to a light complexion.
However, extra melanin doesn’t guard the skin from sun’s UV rays that accelerate aging, causing pigmentation and sunspots. If you are dusky skinned, use a complete protection sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or more.
3. A sunscreen with SPF 30 is as good as one with a higher SPF for my skin:
Reality: No. A higher SPF is always better. According to experts, in higher SPF’s such as SPF 30, 97% of rays are deflected. While an SPF 15 indicates 93% deflection and SPF 2 equals only 50% deflection.
4. Putting on lots of sunscreen at the start of the day will protect my skin all day long:
Reality: Do this and you might end up with a sun tan and a sunburn. Because sunscreen wears off and must be reapplied every 2-3 hours or even more frequently when sweating or swimming.
Don’t forget to be liberal with the amount of sunscreen you use, for optimum protection from the sun.
5. My skin can’t get sun damaged while I’m sitting in the car or indoors:
Reality: Glass cuts off only a part of the harmful UV radiation transmitted by the sun which means your skin is still exposed to most of the dangers posed by the sun when you are outdoors. Do not shy away from using sunscreen, even if you aren’t stepping out.
6. It’s cloudy today, I don’t need to wear sunscreen:
Reality: Did you know that a large proportion of the sun’s ultraviolet rays can pass through clouds. It’s not a good idea to step out without sunscreen, no matter how cloudy or pleasant the day.
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