Why should I wear sunscreen every day?
Although dermatologists recommend wearing sunscreen every day, most people do not follow this advice. It is recommended that a person should apply some sort of SPF face lotion before applying any face makeup even if the foundation being worn has a SPF already in it.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that SPF should be 15 or higher and be reapplied every two hours. Most bottles recommend applying liberally and applying it all over the face, ears, neck and arms. The SPF value indicates the level of sunburn protection provided by the sunscreen product. The SPF test measures the amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure it takes to cause sunburn when a person is using a sunscreen in comparison to how much UV exposure it takes to cause a sunburn when they do not use a sunscreen.
When choosing a sunscreen the American Cancer Society recommends that you read the label before buying: “Sunscreens with broad spectrum protection (against UVA and UVB rays) and with sun protection factor (SPF) values of 30 or higher are recommended.”
Many people, especially younger men and women, do not realize the skin-damaging effects the sun can have. The ugly head of sun damage does not rear its head till people are much older and by then the effects cannot be reversed. Sun damage can lead to more than just prematurely aged skin, it can lead to skin cancer.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States with two million people being diagnosed annually. There are two kinds of skin cancers, non-melanoma and melanoma. Non-melanoma, which is the most common form, has about 1.3 million cases each year in the United States. On the other hand, melanoma, which is the least common accounts for the majority of skin cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. Sun is the most preventable risk factor for all skin cancers, including melanoma. Applying a sunscreen daily is a small step that will make a dramatic difference in a person’s skin health in the long run.
