A body with healthy skin is advantageous. The human skin serves as the body’s first line of defence against pathogens that are dangerous to our health. Our skin protects us from harm, but it also serves a variety of vital bodily functions, including regulating our body temperature.
So it’s crucial to always keep your skin in good condition. With constant exposure to abrasive elements like sunlight, it can be challenging to maintain healthy skin. The skin can benefit from exposure to a reasonable amount of sunlight. Overexposure to sunlight, however, can cause some issues.
The sun emits ultraviolet (UV) rays that can cause premature skin ageing and sunburn. In the worst cases, overexposure to UV rays can lead to skin cancer. Sunscreens are an invention whose sole purpose is to prevent the absorption of UV rays by the skin. However, be wary of sunscreens that claim to provide 100% protection from UV rays. To date, there is no sunscreen that can provide 100% protection from UV rays.
The good thing is that many are aware of the importance of sunscreens, but on the other hand, some people are still in the dark about the crucial aspects of sunscreens, such as the amount needed for good coverage or even understanding the labels, such as the meaning of the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) value. Below are the 7 common mistakes people make with sunscreen.
#1 Applying sunscreen a little too late
It’s common practise to put sunscreen off until you get to the beach, which is a big mistake. It typically takes some time for the skin to fully absorb the sunscreen. The best course of action is for you to apply sunscreen for at least 20 to 30 minutes before going outside.
#2 Applying a small amount of sunscreen
A little is not going to get you very far in this situation. Underapplying sunscreen won’t give you enough
protection to use your sunscreen’s SPF to the fullest extent possible.
How well a sunscreen will protect your skin from UV rays is indicated by its SPF rating. More protection against sunburn is provided by higher SPF ratings. A high SPF sunscreen won’t be evenly distributed across your body if you apply it in a small dab, which will lower the SPF.
In order to adequately protect the skin that isn’t covered by clothing, at least one ounce of sunscreen is advised.
#3 Forgetting to reapply
It’s crucial to keep in mind that you should reapply sunscreen at least once every two to three hours. This is because sunscreen starts to lose its effectiveness two hours after application and UV exposure. It could even break down sooner than two hours if you’ve been swimming or sweating a lot.
This holds true even for a sunscreen that is water-resistant or waterproof.
#4 Thinking just sunscreen is enough
Since no sunscreen can completely shield your skin from the sun’s UV rays, it’s important to add additional layers of protection whenever you can. For instance, finding shade or donning sun-protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, or anything else that covers your body.
#5 Assuming sunscreen is unnecessary on cloudy days
Typically, the sun will be obscured by dense clouds on cloudy days, and sunlight may not be as intense. Many people believe that their skin is safe because there is less sunlight. That’s not entirely accurate, though.
The sun still emits UV rays, which can penetrate through, even on cloudy days. Furthermore, it’s believed that the sun continuously emits dangerous UV rays. It’s important to keep in mind that you should always wear sunscreen whenever you go outside, no matter the season. The best course of action is for you to apply sunscreen for at least 20 to 30 minutes before going outside.
#6 Lack of understanding of the significance of SPF values
The market is flooded with different sunscreen varieties, each with a different set of benefits and claims. For someone who is only beginning to use sunscreen, this can be confusing. In general, it’ll be wise to keep in mind that sunscreens with SPF 30 or higher are excellent at providing a respectable level of protection against UV rays. Water-resistant or waterproof sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher is recommended if you’re participating in water-related activities.
Rule of thumb for sunscreen: The higher the SPF rating, the better UV protection coverage it provides.
#7 Using sunscreen past its expiry date
Sunscreen may be tucked away in some people’s drawers, rarely seeing the light of day. This is due to the fact that they do not use sunscreen every day. Because of this, some people might neglect to check the sunscreen’s expiration date and use it after its deadline has passed.
This can harm the skin because old sunscreen may no longer provide adequate SPF protection and may not shield it from sunburn.
Source: WebMD, American Academy of Dermatology Association, University of Rochester Medical Center
