Protect Your Skin from the Sun

While the sun has many wonderful benefits it also has some negative ones as well. When exposed to the sun for extended lengths of time without protection you are exposed to harmful UV rays. Sunburns are a painful sign that you got too much but did you know tanning whether you burn or not is harmful to skin as well. A change of color to your skin is a sign of damage. The UV radiation also causes premature aging of the skin. According to the EPA, 90% of wrinkles and brown spots found on our faces are not due to aging but due to sun exposure. So, as the summer approaches here are a few things you can do to protect yourself and your family from the Sun.

• Avoid being in the sun between 10 AM and 2 PM. This is when the most damaging rays are present.
  


• Cover up as much as possible with long sleeves, sunglasses, and hats.
  Avoid fake baking (tanning salons) If you want a glow then paint it on.
  


• Wear Sunscreen
  

Think of the painful and lengthy cosmetic procedures that can be avoided if you just remember to put sunscreen on before you hit the pool/beach. There are so many brands of sunscreen on the market today so how do you know which one to choose? You want a minimum of SPF 15. The sunscreen should block both UVA (aging and cancer) and UVB (burns and cancer) rays. Always get lotion that is waterproof so you know it will protect even through perspiration. Waterproof can be worn for up to 80 minutes before reapplying and water resistant can be worn for 40 minutes. Make sure you put it on 20 minutes before sun exposure to give your skin a chance to absorb the lotion.