Through a new friend of mine, I have been re-initiated (don’t ask why re-initiated, long story) to the world of cosmetics and skin-care. During one such episode of discussion about what constitutes as daily steps of required skincare, she insisted, quite firmly might I add, on using sunscreen every day. Now I am one of those people who avoid sunscreen due to its texture and can’t be bothered to apply it, I would rather brace the sun. Now before you start thinking this is my new beauty blog, don’t worry we have plenty of beauty gurus for that, I am still considering the health part. After this conversation, I had to look up what the fuss is all about, and shockingly I found that sunscreen is not actually just a cosmetic but it is a necessity for health. They are recommended by dermatologists as well. How so, read on to find it!
We know that Sun emits Ultra violet rays of 3 types, (UVA, UVB & UVC). UVC stops at the ozone layer, but the other two not just enter the atmosphere but actually penetrate into our skin as well. These two are definitely not good for health and they can cause skin cancer and that’s by far the most important reason why sunscreen is essential. UVA rays penetrate the innermost layer (dermis) of screen and damages cells there. It also affects the basal layer and harms keratinocytes which is how it can eventually lead to non-melanoma cancer. UVB is known to cause damage to the outermost layer of skin (epidermis), leading to melanoma (the worst kind of skin cancer), also sunburn which is no laughing matter, and other skin problems including tanning. Sunscreen owing to its properties and ingredients, block out these rays from entering and affecting the skin.
Next reason is, applying sunscreen is beneficial in delaying aging signs like wrinkles, crow’s-feet, blotchiness, pigmentation, and others. Which I think is cool given how much people spend on looking younger these days, this sounds far easier than getting Botox injected.
Truth is that sunscreen is our shield against the harmful exposure from the sun. Healthy skin and possible safety from skin cancer (whose numbers are increasing every year) were enough to change my opinion. At this juncture, since I hope I have proved it is not just a cosmetic but necessity, so men, women and children alike need to use it.
How to choose one? Well, that depends on you, there is a whole range of products available out there, but, recommended is that you use one with SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 30 or more. I am trying the spray form of sunscreen, I hope it will feel better than the ones I have used before. If this still doesn’t convince you to buy one from the cosmetic range, you can try the natural ones, both Carrot seed oil and Red Raspberry Seed Oil are known to have sufficient SPF, 38-40 and 28-50 respectively.
Someone said, “Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you”. Truly this works, just be sure to lather up all parts exposed to the sun before you take the high road.