The Heartland Spa (Illinois)
Most of us like the way we look after our skin has "tanned" from exposure to the sun. However, people of every age and skin type are at risk of damaging and aging their skin by being in the sun. To see the effects of the sun's rays, compare your facial skin with body skin that has not had sun exposure. You will most likely see lines, wrinkles and dark spots on your face, all signs of aging. In fact, 80% of the aging to your skin is from the sun's rays.
The invisible rays of the sun, UVA and UVB, can cause skin cancer, premature aging, wrinkling and leathering. According to the Melanoma Foundation, to protect your skin from the sun's rays you should use sunscreen daily in summer and winter. The FDA regulates guidelines for the SPF (sun protection factor) in sunscreens. Today's sunscreens come in the form of creams, gels, liquids and wax sticks and range in SPF from 2 to 45 and higher. A sunscreen with a SPF of at least 15 is recommended. For protection from UVB rays sunscreen should contain titanium dioxide or avobenzone and for UVA protection zinc oxide. To determine if a sunscreen will be irritating to your skin, first do a 24-hour patch test on the inside of your forearm. Sunscreen should be applied liberally about 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every 1½ hours. Follow your normal morning skin care routine and apply sunscreen last. The American Academy of Dermatologists suggests 1 ounce of sunscreen all over your body paying extra attention to the face, ears, hands, and arms.
While on medication your skin can become photosensitive making it even more important to use a sunscreen. Photosensitive reactions may include itching, redness, swelling and blistering triggered mainly by UVA rays. The invisible UV rays easily penetrate glass - making riding in a car, flying in a plane or sitting near a sunny window dangerous to our skin. Your skin needs to be protected from this incidental sun exposure. Higher altitudes have a greater risk for sun damage as the UV rays increase 4% for 1,000 feet in altitude.
To enjoy that "sun-kissed" look all year long, you may want to consider a sunless tanning product. Available in cremes, lotions and sprays, sunless tanning may be an at-home or Salon treatment. Not all self-tanners contain SPF, so ask your Salon professional if their product contains SPF and check the brand you are purchasing for SPF.
One of the great things about skin is that it can repair itself if protected from daily UV exposure. Sunscreen needs to become a part of your daily routine whether you are at the beach, driving in your car or sitting in your office. Apply sunscreen every day to prevent early aging, skin cancer and to enjoy healthy looking skin
