You Should Be Wearing Sunscreen Everyday. Here’s Why.
We’ve finally made it to May. The sun is out, it’s getting warmer, and all I want to do is be outside. With just how many people I’ve seen out and about in the past few weeks, I know there are a bunch of you out there who can relate. With it being this current time of year, I figured now is the best time to discuss one of my passions: skincare. More specifically, sunscreen.
According to a 2023 national survey conducted by PubMed only 13.5% of US adults wear sunscreen daily. That same survey found that the majority of adults know about how sunscreen protects from UV rays, yet most people continue to wear it inconsistently. I am part of that 13.5% of adults who wear sunscreen every day, so I ask myself, why is that number so low?
My best guess is that many people know that sunscreen keeps you from getting burnt, but they don’t know all the other ways in which the sun causes damage to the skin. Plus, I’ve found that many people don’t understand how the sun damages the skin. Because even though it’s getting warm and now is about the time people are thinking about this kind of thing again, wearing sunscreen should be an everyday occurrence.
How is The Sun Damaging My Skin?
The sun’s rays contain ultraviolet light, also known as UVA and UVB rays. This ultraviolet light is ultimately a form of radiation. Both types of ultraviolet rays cause damage to the skin but how they effect the skin is different. According to the American Cancer Society, UVA rays have less energy than UVB rays, but are the reason for long-term skin damage, like wrinkles and some forms of skin cancer. UVB rays have more energy and can damage the DNA in your skin cells directly. UVB rays are also the rays that cause sunburns and the majority of skin cancers.
Wait, The Sun Causes Wrinkles?
The sun doesn’t cause all wrinkles, genetics does play a hand in that. But it does cause fine lines and creates more wrinkles than you would have had otherwise. If you’d like an example of what I mean, about 10 years ago or so, the photo at the top of this article went mildly viral. The man in the photo was 69 years old at the time and was a retired truck driver. He’d been a truck driver for most of his life and had never worn sunscreen. The left side of his face was getting constant sun exposure, while the right side was consistently in the shade of his cab. The photo kind of speaks for itself.
What Other Problems Does The Sun Cause?
Believe it or not, sunburns, wrinkles, and skin cancer aren’t the only problems the sun can cause/exacerbate in your skin. According to GoodRX, exposure to UV rays can cause the skin to appear blotchy and can cause the development of melasma and hyperpigmentation. And while there are skincare products that treat those conditions, they’re not easy to clear up. Plus if you have rosacea, UV exposure can make the condition worse.
And while many people believe sun exposure helps clear up acne, in actuality, it makes it worse. GoodRX says, “Experts tend to agree that sun exposure may initially improve the appearance of acne by drying out sebum. This may temporarily improve the way your skin looks and make acne less obvious. However, you’ll likely end up producing more oil than before, which translates to a higher chance of acne getting worse…And according to the American Academy of Dermatology, the sun’s ultraviolet rays can darken acne and make it last longer.”
So How Much Sunscreen Should I Be Wearing? And What Kind?
In order to combat all the damage the sun’s UV rays can cause, wear sunscreen every day. Some days, when you’re not going outside, you may only need to apply it once. And on days when you’re wearing long pants and sleeves, you may only need to put it on your face and neck. Use your discretion. But if you’re spending time outside, especially if you’re sweating or swimming, you should be reapplying about every 2 hours. And in regards to how much you should be putting on your face and neck, the general consensus around the internet is about 1/4 teaspoon. The photo below is what you should be aiming for.
The kind of sunscreen you should be wearing should always be broad spectrum, so it blocks all the sun’s UV rays and not just one type. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it has an SPF (or sun protection factor) of 30 or higher. Whether you decide to use a physical/mineral or chemical sunscreen is up to you. They will both get the job done. Dermatologists do recommend physical/mineral sunscreens (sunscreen that contains the active ingredients titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide) for people with sensitive skin though.
The point I’m ultimately trying to make is that wearing sunscreen is important for your skin’s long-term health. The skin is our largest organ, it’s important that we protect it. Especially here at the Jersey Shore, where many of you reading this may consider yourself a beach bum. Enjoy the beach, and soak up all the Vitamin D you can. But there’s no reason to get skin cancer because of it. Stay protected out there.
Tips to Maximize Your Vacation
1. Save Money
One great way to maximize your vacation is simply to save money. You’ll feel so much better on vacation knowing that you’re saving cash by doing things the right way. One major way to save money is to travel during an off season. Every vacation destination has its own peak time. So, look at the cheapest time to visit your destination, and go then. Find more tips on saving money on vacation, too.
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2. Don't Plan Every Minute of Your Vacation
Sure, you want to do some planning so that you don’t miss the big tourist stops in your destination. But, don’t book every blasted minute. Maximize your vacay by saving some time to be spontaneous. Take a day to just figure out what to do when you’re there. Maybe some locals will recommend a secret spot for you to visit during your “day off.”
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3. Do Plan Ahead, Though
While you don’t want to overbook your trip so that you’re always running from spot to spot, you do want to plan a bit. It’s not a good idea to do zero planning and just feel things out when you get there. Plan some big activities ahead of time so that you aren’t scrambling last-minute.
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4. Plan Regular Mini-Vacations
If you only have one big vacation every year, you might feel under a lot of pressure to make it the most amazing experience ever. So, take away that stress. Plan mini-vacations throughout the year, so you aren’t under as much pressure to make your big trip the best thing that’s ever happened to you and your family. For example, in the fall, if you live in an area with beautiful colors, make an annual fall color tour trip and just drive around the state.
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5. Stay an Extra Day
If time and money allows, adding just one day to your vacation can open up a world of possibilities. Many people plan too short a trip, not realizing just how much they’ll want to do in their destination. So, add an extra day. You’ll be glad you did at the end of your stay.
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6. Take Time to Sleep
Sure, you’re on vacation. You want to soak up every minute of your trip. But, if you’re up late every night partying in the clubs and then up early to enjoy the sunrise, pretty soon, you’ll be too tired to enjoy your vacation. So, take time to get some sleep and feel rested.
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7. Let the Small Stuff Go
They say, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” That’s certainly true on vacation. Nothing is going to go totally as planned. So, expect the unexpected, and roll with it.
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8. Plan Some Recoup Time
When you get back from your vacation, don’t plan to start work the very next day. Take an extra day or two off after your vacation to recuperate, so that you hit the ground running when you’re back at work. The extra time at home will also give you a chance to savor your vacation.
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9. Pick an Experience
People often find experiencing more rewarding that physical things. So, make sure to plan an experience with your trip. Maybe there’s a huge concert you want to see on vacation. Perhaps it’s a sporting event. Whatever it is, plan an awesome experience.
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10. Learn for Next Time
Finally, when you’re home from your trip, decompress and look back on your vacation. What went wrong? What went right? Take notes and learn from your vacation, so you’ll know what to do better next time.
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