WHY YOU SHOULD WEAR SUN PROTECTION EVERY DAY

Spending time outdoors is great for your health and can boost your vitamin D levels. However, too much exposure to the sun rays can damage your skin, leading to wrinkles, dark spots, and even skin cancer. While most people use sunscreen during the summer or for extended outdoor activities, it’s equally important to use sunscreen or sunblock throughout the year, even when you’re indoors. So, should you wear sun protection daily? The short answer is yes, and here’s why.

Daily Sunscreen/ Sunblock: Why It Is Important?

Sun damage accumulates over time. Even if you aren’t spending hours outside, you’re still exposed to UV radiation. Consistent use of sunscreen helps protect your skin from harmful rays and reduces the risk of long term damage.

Benefits of Wearing Sun Protection Every Day

Prevents Sunburn
It blocks UVB rays, the primary cause of sunburns. UVB levels vary throughout the day and year, peaking at midday and in spring and fall, but they can burn you at any time. UVB rays penetrate through clouds, so protection is necessary even on rainy or cloudy days.

Reduces Skin Cancer Risk
Prolonged exposure to UV rays damages the DNA in skin cells, leading to abnormal growth and potential skin cancer. Sun protection products provide a barrier, blocking UV rays and reducing this risk.

Prevents Premature Aging
UV rays break down collagen and elastin, the proteins that maintain skin’s firmness. This leads to premature aging, fine lines, and sagging. Wearing sunscreen daily helps preserve your skin’s youthful appearance.

Prevents Blotchy Skin
UV exposure can enlarge small blood vessels on your face, resulting in red or purple patches that are hard to get rid of. Sunscreen prevents this damage, keeping your skin tone even and healthy.

Reduces Hyperpigmentation and Melasma
Chronic UV exposure can cause dark spots and worsen conditions like melasma. Daily sun protection use helps prevent the formation of these patches and keeps skin tone more uniform, regardless of skin tone.

Protects Against Skin Condition Flares
Certain skin conditions, such as cutaneous lupus and rosacea, can become aggravated by even minimal sun exposure without protection. By applying sunscreen daily, you can help safeguard your skin from these potential reactions.

Understanding SPF
SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, measures how well a sunscreen protects against UVB rays. An SPF 30 means it will take 30 times longer to burn than without any protection. SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays, while SPF 50 blocks 98%, and SPF 100 blocks 99%. However, no sunscreen blocks 100% of UV rays.
It’s crucial to choose a broad spectrum sunscreen, which protects against both UVA and UVB rays, and remember that higher SPF provides slightly more protection.