The skin on your face is most susceptible to sun damage. In fact, one study on the distribution of skin cancer found that the highest rate of skin cancer was on the face. Furthermore, exposure to UV radiation accounts for 80% of visible signs of skin aging according to a study carried out on 298 Caucasian women. This is why it is so important to protect the delicate skin on your face from the sun. To decrease your chances of skin cancer and premature aging, follow these seven tips:
1. Sunscreen
To decrease your chances of UV damage, it is important to wear sunscreen on a daily basis. There has been a recent scare regarding the chemical composition of sunscreens but realistically speaking, UV radiation is much more dangerous than any ingredient found in sunscreens. Darrell Rigel, M.D., clinical professor of dermatology at New York University claims that sunscreens lower one’s risk of skin cancer and that the benefits of wearing sunscreen outweigh any possible risks. In short, any sunscreen is safe sunscreen.
2. Lip balm
Most of us tend to forget that we also need to protect our lips from UV rays. The skin on our lips is very thin and susceptible to sun damage. The lips, along with the surrounding eye area show the first signs of aging. There are plenty of lip balms on the market that offer UV protection. Next time you plan to spend a weekend outdoors, make sure to carry a lip balm with SPF with you.
3. Watch for UV radiation
There are times of the year and day when UV radiation is at its peak. The commonly held belief is to avoid the sun between 10 am and 4 pm. However, one recent study found that for optimal synthesis of vitamin D and the least danger of melanoma was to spend time in the sun between 10 am and 1 pm. This, of course, contradicts our previously held beliefs about sun exposure. For this reason, Darrell Rigel, M.D recommends using your common sense when it comes to sun exposure. The winter months are when UV radiation is at its lowest, and if the day is cloudy and rainy, you’d naturally assume that the Sun’s rays are not as strong.
4. Don’t forget the ears, head, neck, and feet.
These happen to be the locations on our body commonly neglected when it comes to sun protection. A study on the distribution of melanoma found that men are at greater risk of developing melanoma in these areas because these areas are more often exposed to the sun in males than in females. If you are male, make sure to wear a hat and put sunscreen on your ears and the back of the neck. Also, don’t neglect your feet when applying sunscreen.
5. Sunglasses
Previously rare, ocular cancer has been rising at an alarming rate in recent years according to skincancer.org. Besides damaging your eyes and vision, the sun can also damage the delicate skin around your eyes which can lead to fine lines, wrinkles, and bags under the eyes. The skin around your eyes is the first to show the signs of aging because it is much thinner than the surrounding skin. You don’t have to worry about the price of sunglasses because even the inexpensive ones will offer you enough protection as observed in one study of 32 pairs of inexpensive sunglasses.
6. Reapply sunscreen
You shouldn’t rely solely on sunscreen to avoid sun damage. Sunscreens can significantly decrease the chances of sun damage, but they are imperfect. Sunscreens break down after some time or as in the case of physical sunblocks; they clump on the skin. For these reasons, sunscreens should be reapplied at least every 2 hours if you plan to spend the day in the sun.
The skin on your face is where the first signs of aging show. It is also the most common are where skin cancer occurs. While clothing offers a lot of protection to the skin on your body, you need to take other measures to protect your face from sun damage.
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Author Bio:
Ella James is an aspiring author who is pursuing Health Services Administration degree from St. Petersburg College. She is an active contributor to Consumer Health Digest, which is a leading Health News. In recent years, she had the opportunity to review Luminique.
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