The sun provides us with many beneficial things. It provides vitamin D, and it can reduce our stress, create a nice tan, improve sleep, and leave us feeling happy and warm. But the sun can also be detrimental to our skin, causing dark spots, wrinkles, skin cancer, and more.
That means it’s critical to protect your face from the sun. Here’s why.
Skin Cancer
Too much sun is harmful for your skin cells. The UV rays are intense and damaging and can even kill the skin cells, especially for sensitive skin. Skin cancer is caused when UV light damages the DNA in our skin cells. This happens as a result of heavy tanning bed use or exposure to sunlight over time.
Sunburn
The skin is the body’s first layer of defence against any pathogens and damages. This explains the red hue your skin may turn when you sit under the sun on a beach day. The sun’s UV rays are highest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., which means this is the time frame you are most likely to burn. To combat a sunburn, wear sunscreen and sit in the shade. Umbrellas, hats, or sun shirts also make a difference! Also, if you are swimming, be sure to reapply sunscreen throughout your day!
Dark Spots
Some people notice that their skin starts to discolour over time. These are known as age or dark spots, which are flat dark areas on the skin. They can pop up on any area that has had heavy exposure to the sun, like the face, hands, arms, legs, and more. Luckily, many products help minimize this skin pigmentation. There are over-the-counter methods like topical peels, serums for hyperpigmentation, creams, and more. More expensive methods include laser treatment, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, and other creams prescribed by a dermatologist.
LeoPatrizi via gettyimages.comWrinkles
Strong UV rays from the sun can also cause wrinkles. The sunlight can lead to premature signs of aging and fine lines. Dermatologists recommend wearing sunscreen to protect from sun exposure. Every. Single. Day. Dermatologist-approved and highly-rated sunscreens include: Supergoop, EltaMD, La Roche-Posay, CeraVe, Aveeno, and Neutrogena. Dermatologists recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
Dehydration
Your skin likely gets pretty dry after sitting in the sun for too long. Combat this by drinking an ample amount of water and applying sun lotion or aloe vera lotion to replenish your skin of the moisture it needs and deserves.
Too much sun exposure can have detrimental effects on keeping your skin looking fresh and young. That’s why you should always make it a priority to protect your face (and all your skin!) with things like sunscreen whenever you’re enjoying a day outside.
This story was made possible by our Community Partners Program. Thank you Didsbury Dental for helping to expand local news coverage in Alberta. Learn more.
