Sunscreen, when used properly, works much akin to a thin and almost invisible bulletproof vest that contains organic molecules that absorb,
scatter, and reflect UV rays, thus protecting you from a silent killer called
the sun. Over-exposure to UV rays means a significantly increased risk for skin
cancer, which is the worlds most commonly diagnosed cancer.
In fact, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, someone in the United States
dies every hour from melanomathe deadliest form of skin cancer. Yet, 90% of skin
cancers are preventable if we are proactive about properly protecting ourselves
from over-exposure to UV-rays from the sun. Among the simplest, most effective
preventative measures we can take is by properly and regularly applying
sunscreen.
Two decades ago Milan Michalek Jersey , sunscreen was relatively unheard of, whereas today it has become apart of our common jargon. Heightened awareness of skin cancer and the
importance of sunscreen, even sun protective clothing have, in ways, only
further confused us and perhaps even caused us to ignore the warnings.
Have you ever wondered why there have been occasions when you slapped on a pound of sunscreen before hitting the lake only to return home burnt to a
crisp? The problem is, we are told to use sunscreen but we arent instructed on
how to properly apply it; to maximize its efficacy.
Unlike a bulletproof vest, however, sunscreen must be re-applied in order for it to properly provide
protection from ultraviolet (UV) rays. Consider the 30-20-2 rule: Apply a SPF
15+ sunscreen to your skin at least 30-minutes prior to going outdoors (even on
cloudy days), then reapply within the first 20-minutes of being outside to
reinforce the protective barrier the sunscreen provides, and then apply
sunscreen consistently in two hour intervals. For children under 18, sunscreen
must be applied every hour. The reason sunscreen works in this way is based on
the mechanics of our skin.
Our skin works much like a sponge does. The top layer of our skin, called the epidermis, absorbs sunscreen, forming a
protective layer on the skin that blocks UV rays from reaching the melanocytes
(or pigmentation cells) that lie deep within the skin. Yet, your skinthe largest
bodily organreaches its saturation point after approximately two
hours Mike Hoffman Jersey , thus leaving you unprotected and causing sunburn andor other skin-related damage. Hence, it is imperative that sunscreen must be
reapplied in order to enhance its protective powers.
Alas, not all sunscreen products out on the market today work proficiently. To deliver optimum
level of protection, sunscreen must have sufficient amounts of essential
ingredients. In other words, when choosing a sunscreen product for your family,
take a look at the bottle; make sure it contains proven effective agents such as
zinc oxide and Parasol 1789.
Furthermore, make sure the product is a broad-spectrum formula, meaning that it blocks both UV-B and UV-A rays. If the
sunscreen is not broad-spectrum formula, do not buy it. You are not being
sufficiently protected nor covered if your sunscreen does not clearly indicate
that it protects from both UV-A and UV-B rays.
The significance of a broad-spectrum sunscreen cannot be over-emphasized. UV-B and UV-A rays have
varied affects on your skin, your immune system, and your body as a whole. UV-B
irradiation disrupts the melanocytes (the cells deep beneath the epidermis of
your skin responsible for your pigmentation), causing them to release the
redness known as sunburn.
Any change in the color of your skin as a result of over-exposure to the sun is a sign of damage, even if your skin tends
to tan as opposed to burn. When this occurs, your melanocytes are trying to tell
you that normal, healthy cells have been severely disrupted and therefore are
attempting to compensate for that damage.
On the other hand Mika Zibanejad Jersey , damage to your skin caused by UV-A irradiation is far more serious. UV-A rays are especially harmful as they penetrate deeper, breaking
bonds of DNA which lead to cancer. You typically do not see the immediate
effects of UV-A rays, but they are the chief culprit behind photo-aging and
wrinkling in addition to actinic keratoses, a pre-cancerous skin condition.
Damage to your cells as a result from over-exposure to ultraviolet radiation
from the sun or from a tanning bed is un-repairable.
Consider the following analogy: Have you ever left a basketball outside in the hot summer sun
for a lengthy period of time? And after you retrieved the ball, you immediately
notice that the elasticity of the ball is weakenedit feels rubbery and never
quite bounces back? This is exactly what happens to your skin as a result of
prolonged UV-A exposure. Both UV-B and UV-A rays have cumulative affects and
coupled together often lead to melanoma skin cancer.
Thusly, make sure you understand SPF when purchasing a brand of sunscreen, and do not be fooled by
those that claim to deliver a high level of protection. For starters, SPF stands
for sun protection factor (or sunburn protection factor). The way SPF works can
be best described by the following example: A SPF 20 sunscreen is only allowing
five out of every 100 UV protons to reach
