“Stop! It’s getting in my eyes. Ouch! It burns. Moooommmm!” Does this sound familiar? If so, then you either have children or you remember when you were a child yourself and it was time to put on the dreaded sunscreen. Sunscreen has evolved over the years and there are now a variety of sunscreen types from lotions to foam to sprays and an even greater variety of sunscreen brands. One thing that hasn’t changed is the need for sunscreen.
The ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun are warm and comforting, but they are also dangerous for our skin. They cause signs of aging to appear earlier, painful sunburns, and more importantly, they can cause skin cancer. There are actually two types of skin protectants – sunscreen and sunblock. Most of us use these terms interchangeably when, in fact, they are actually different products that perform differently.
Sunscreen reflects UV light and sunblock blocks UV light. Dermatologists prefer that people use sunblock. When shopping for sunscreen or sunblock, read the bottle to make sure that it is effective in protecting your skin from both UVA and UVB rays, often referred to as Broad Spectrum protection. Additionally, avoid products containing parabens and/or benzophenone as these ingredients can cause skin irritation. One of the old standbys is zinc oxide. You may have seen people on the beach with their noses “painted” a bright white. That is the result of zinc oxide. They even sell it in a variety of neon colors now, including pink, green, and blue. Why not have some fun while getting protected from the sun?
There is a move by many towards more natural products in all areas of their lives, including their skin protectant products. There is nothing wrong with that, for sure, as long as it will actually protect your skin from those harmful rays. If you DO get sunburned, one of the most effective treatments is aloe vera which is completely natural and comes from the leaves of the aloe plant. If you live here in Florida, we highly recommend you buy one of these plants for yourself. They can be potted or planted in the ground. You simply slice open a leaf and scrape out the clear, gooey gel inside. Slather it on your burned skin and by the next day you will see and feel a MAJOR improvement. Nature provides for us, once again!
One of the things we all wonder about is that “special number” on the bottle… SPF. Which number do we really need? Is 15 as effective as 70? In truth, SPF 30 is a good protective sunscreen/sunblock. The products do not gain much in the way of Sun Protection Factor (SPF) beyond that. They simply contain more chemicals which can be absorbed into your bloodstream. They don’t really help your skin and can be harmful.
It is helpful to apply sunscreen approximately thirty minutes prior to going into the sun so it has time to properly bond to the skin. Then, reapply using the same amount every two hours. Sit in the shade if you can. Wear protective garments, like brimmed hats, sunglasses, and clothes that offer sun protection. You can’t replace your skin, so it is of the utmost importance that you take good care of it.
Solar Solutions is a local window tinting company based in Vero Beach. Tinting the windows of your vehicle, home, or commercial building can help protect you from dangerous sun exposure. We proudly provide window tinting for our surrounding areas including Palm Bay, Melbourne, and Fort Pierce! Give us a call today!