Remember Your Sunscreen This Spring Break. Here’s Why:
What’s more perfect than spring break? No school/work, perfect weather, tropical getaways. It’s amazing! But before we can flood the beaches, we have to remember to put on sunscreen. Putting on sunscreen truly is an essential for spring break so you can enjoy every day without sun damage. Here’s why you’ll want to lather on the sunscreen before going out in the sun:
Why You Should Use Sunscreen
1. Sunscreen Protects You from Wrinkles
For every young person, or young person at heart looking to go somewhere warm during spring break, we’re sure developing wrinkles is not on your to-do list. Most of us want to avoid developing wrinkles as best we can, but did you know that sun exposure causes them? Being exposed to the sun dries out the skin, causing it to lose its elasticity, creating deep wrinkles. Sunscreen not only shields your skin from sun damage, but with the right brand, it can add enough moisture to make your skin soft and hydrated, and prevent wrinkles from forming.
2. Reduces Your Chances of Getting Skin Cancer
Most of us are aware of the fact that skin cancer is one of the greatest risks we face when spending time in the sun. It’s an unfortunate fact that the sun emits harmful ultraviolet rays. These UV rays contain an unhealthy amount of radiation. It’s this radiation that, overtime, can mutate our DNA. Once the DNA is mutated, it opens the door for the development of cancer cells. Sunscreen, however, does a pretty good job of filtering out some of that radiation and lowers your risk of developing skin cancer.
3. Keeps You from Developing Sunspots and Melasma
Sunbathing doesn’t just give you a tan. Believe it or not, sun damaged skin can develop sunspots or melasma. Sunspots and melasma are brown spots that appear on parts of the body that are often exposed to the sun. This typically includes the face, neck, back, arms, legs, etc. When we spend too much time in the sun, the ultraviolet radiation forces our skin cells to produce melanin. Melanin is the name of the group of pigments that gives our skin its color. As our production levels increase, our skin darkens. For those who are fair-skinned, they have less melanin, so it is easier for them to develop melasma and sunspots. Since sunscreen can block a bit of the UV radiation, it will in turn reduce your chances of dealing with these pigment-related conditions.
4. Keeps Your Skin from Drying Out
Have you ever poured water on the ground on a hot day and 15 minutes later the ground was completely dry? That’s exactly what the sun is doing to your face. It is effortlessly whisking the moisture straight from your skin leaving it dry, itchy, and brittle. To avoid this, apply sunscreen that contains moisturizing ingredients like aloe vera and hyaluronic acid.
5. Keeps You from Developing Other Skin Conditions
Skin cancer and wrinkles aren’t the only conditions that can be caused by sun damage. Actinic keratosis, rosacea, and even hives can be a result of excessive sun exposure. With the habitual application of sunscreen, you can reduce your chances of developing these conditions.
Clearly, wearing sunscreen during spring break is imperative. If you want more information or would like to learn about skin cancer treatment options, and are in Cincinnati, Ohio, our experts at The Dermatology Group are here to offer advice and treatment options. Give us a call today!