Live Well
Updated: July 5, 2022
The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow! Health Benefits of Sunscreen
Summer has begun! That means more sun, more trips to the beach, and more time spent outside. Before we get carried away catching rays and soaking up the sun, we have to remember to protect our skin. Protecting your skin is always a good idea, especially here in Cayman where the UV index is often at the maximum. Using sunscreen everyday by adding it into your daily skin care routine can be incredibly beneficial to your long term health.
Here are the biggest benefits of using sunscreen everyday to keep you and your skin healthy:
Reduces the Signs of Aging
Prolonged periods in the sun without protection can damage the collagen and connective tissues in your skin. This can cause increased wrinkling as you lose the elasticity in your skin. Using sunscreen everyday can help you keep your skin healthy and more youthful.
Limits Sunspots
Over time, exposure to the sun’s UV rays can cause sunspots (also called “age spots” or “liver spots”). These blemishes are caused by hyperpigmentation of the skin and are typically flat areas of brownly discolored skin. Sunspots do not only indicate long term sun damage but also make you look older.
Protects against Sunburns
As we all know, too much sun can cause sunburns. Sunburns are not only painful and inconvenient, they can also increase the chance of sunspots and even skin cancer. It is important to wear sunscreen everyday even if your skin has natural sun protection.
Reduces the Risk of Skin Cancer
Wearing sunscreen is one of the best ways to reduce the chance of skin cancer. For all day protection you should re-apply sunscreen every 2 hours in the sun, after swimming or sweating, or after using a towel. The CDC recommends a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15.
Add Sunscreen to your Daily Routine
Many of us already have daily skin care routines to help keep our skin moisturized and healthy. It can be very easy to add sunscreen to this process. Many body lotions and creams now come with SPF included to help you make the transition seamless.
Did you know that your skin is your largest organ? Our skin is responsible for guarding our body against germs as well as helping to regulate our body’s temperature. Keeping your skin healthy and well protected from the sun is an essential part to Live Well!
How often do you use sunscreen? What are your favorite SPF products? Share with us via our social channels @FostersCayman on Facebook and Instagram.
