My parents grew up not wearing sunscreen, so as a child, my parents never put sunscreen on me. As I got older and now have kids of my own, I realized how important it is to protect myself and my kids from the damaging sun. Below are some benefits of wearing sunscreen for all ages and skin types.

Prevents Sunburn

If you have ever had a sunburn, it is not pleasant. Sunburns result as overexposure to UV radiation, particularly UVB rays. The skin turns red, is sensitive to the touch, blisters, and peels. Applying sunscreen 15 minutes before sun exposure will reduce the likelihood of getting burnt. Even if it’s cloudy outside, you can still get sunburned. Use a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher for better protection. If you’re planning to get sweaty or wet, choose a water-resistant sunscreen and apply every 2 hours.

Prevents Skin Cancer

Ultraviolet (UV) sun rays are the number one cause of skin cancer. The sun can damage DNA in the skin cells and cause cancer, an uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells. When the skin goes unprotected, DNA damage can build up over time. Sunburns are a warning to long term DNA damage.  Sunscreen is an important part of a complete sun protection program, but do not rely solely on sunscreen to protect your skin against harmful UV rays.

Prevents Hyperpigmentation

Again, the sun is the number one cause of hyperpigmentation. Sun exposure triggers the production of melanin. Melanin is the skin’s natural way of protecting it from the sun. It is responsible for the tanning of skin when exposed to sunlight. Hyperpigmentations are patches of skin that are darker than the normal surrounding skin. It can show up in the form of age spots, freckles, liver spots, and dark spots. Using sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher daily can protect the skin from UV rays to control melanin on a cellular level, lessening the appearance of hyperpigmentation caused by the sun.

Prevents Aging

Various environmental factors such as lifestyle, pollution, and gravity can induce premature aging of the skin. The sun, however, plays a major role in accelerating the aging process. UV radiation from the sun damages living tissue over time, breaking down the fibers in the skin. That process causes skin to lose its elasticity resulting in loose and sagging skin as well as wrinkles. Using sunscreen daily will help filter out harmful ultraviolet radiation, especially UVA, which is known to cause premature aging.

I think I can safely say that everyone loves being in the sun. With all the damage it can do, it is necessary to take proper prevention methods to protect yourself by making it a daily habit of applying sunscreen.