Facing the Sun: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Sunscreen

Sunscreen is king. We all know by now that sunscreen plays a vital role in protecting our skin. However, should we be more careful? Are there things to watch out for? Moreover, how do we choose the right one? Discover all the pros and cons of sunscreen and find a good match for yourself!

How does sunscreen work?

Sunscreen is a lotion, gel, stick or spray that absorbs or reflects some of the sun's ultraviolet radiation. This UV radiation consists of two types of UV rays that damage our skin. The first are the UVB rays. These cause sunburn and can play a major role in developing skin cancer. The second type of rays are UVA rays which cause skin damage that leads to aging signs and wrinkles. Sunscreen protects your skin from these harmful ultraviolet rays.

The glorious benefits of sunscreen

Everyone can and should reap the benefits of sunscreen. Firstly, sunscreen minimizes UV damage and decreases your risk of skin cancers and skin precancers. According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, regular daily use of SPF 15 sunscreen can reduce your risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) by about 40 percent and lower your melanoma risk by 50 percent. Secondly, sunscreen helps prevent premature skin aging caused by the sun. A study found that everyday use of sunscreen can slow or temporarily prevent aging signs. So long wrinkles, sagging skin and age spots! 

A word of caution: Potential risks

One concern that arises from the long-term use of sunscreen is vitamin D deficiency. We use vitamin D to boost our immune systems. It helps with everything from chronic fatigue all the way to hair loss. Moreover, vitamin D affects our mood tremendously. So how do we stay safe from the sun but make sure we’re getting enough vitamin D? Include it in your diet! A lot of healthy foods are great sources of vitamin D - fish (salmon, herring, sardines, tuna), eggs, mushrooms, orange juice, cereal and oatmeal. Additionally, you can find it as a nutritional supplement. Sunscreen minimizes UV damage and decreases your risk of skin cancers and skin precancers. Another concern is the clogged pores that sunscreen often leaves behind. Remember, we’re essentially applying a layer of chemicals to our skin. Moreover, we often have to reapply additional layers throughout the day. The key to unclogging our pores and letting our skin breathe is to wash all the sunscreen away at the end of each day. To make sure you’ve actually cleansed everything, we recommend using a superb facial cleansing device LUNA 3. No matter how long or hard you scrub with your hands, they’ll never get your face as clean as LUNA 3’s soft silicone bristles and high-tech T-Sonic™ pulsations.

How to choose the right sunscreen?

The number 1 rule when choosing sunscreen is: pick the one you’ll actually end up using. However, there are a few things you should watch out for. For starters make sure your sunscreen offers broad-spectrum protection. Why? Because all sunscreens protect against UVB rays but not UVA rays. Only the ones labeled as “broad-spectrum protection” or “UVA protection” shield you from both. Another great tip is that you look for water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or more - this will deliver a good amount of protection while lasting longer through sweating or swimming. What about the right sunscreen for your skin type? You should know that there are two types of sunscreen. Sunscreens that reflect the UV rays are called physical sunscreens and the ones that absorb them are called chemical sunscreens. Generally, physical sunscreens are recommended to people with sensitive skin. Moreover, sunscreen comes in so many forms (lotions, creams, gels, ointments, sprays etc.). For dry skin, creams work best. For oily skin, try something less heavy-duty like a gel or spray.

Your time in the sun

Certainly don’t rely on sunscreen alone. It’s a great way to protect yourself from the sun but it’s not perfect. Limit your time in the sun. Avoid sunbathing from 11am to 3pm when the UV rays are most intense. Likewise, use hats and sunglasses or cover up with clothing. Don’t forget to reapply sunscreen, especially if you’re sweating or going into the water. If you end up getting a sunburn anyway, don’t panic. In case of a severe sunburn, definitively see your doctor. If the sunburn's mild, drink lots of water to replace the fluid loss and speed up the healing process. Take a bath in cool water or apply a cold damp towel to relieve aching or itching. Additionally, you can use the extraordinary UFO device and its built-in LED light treatment to ease your sunburn. Remember, healthy skin is happy skin! UFO mini 2 is device that will, thanks to its built-in LED light treatment, ease your sunburn. To sum up, sunscreen is a lifesaver. Stay safe during the hot summer months everyone! Have you ever had a sunburn? What did you do to treat it? Share your experience in the comments!