Protecting Yourself From UV Exposure

Now that the warmer weather is here, and you are going to be outside enjoying it, remember that you are being exposed to UV rays. UV exposure can be harmful to your skin and your hair. UVA rays are aging rays that cause wrinkles in the skin. UVB rays are burning rays that cause sun burns and skin cancer. Preventing damage to your skin and hair is much easier than reversing the damage after it has already happened. Here are some ways to help prevent sun damage to your hair and skin.

Body
When you apply sunscreen to your body, be sure to apply it to your entire body. Even the areas that are covered by clothing can get skin cancer. You should apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside, the spray kind is the easiest to use. Avoid sun exposure after applying perfume. Some of the chemicals in perfume can remove the sunscreen, which can lead to a sunburn. Re apply sunscreen every 2-4 hours you are outside. Water and sweat can help to remove sunscreen, so it is best to always reapply after being in water or performing a physical activity.

Hair
Many people do not protect there hair when they go in the sun. The suns rays over a period of time can be just as damaging as bleaching your hair. The most common way to protect your hair is to wear a hat. If a hat is not your style, make sure to apply sunscreen to your part and hairline. Before you go in the sun, use a deep conditioning treatment, preferably one that has vitamins a, c, or e in it. They are essential to keep your hair strong and healthy. Do not use hair spray, it sits on your hair and offers no protection. Instead find and use products that soak into your hair. Do not wash your hair everyday, but when you do, if you have spent a lot of time outside use a deep conditioning hair mask to re-hydrate your hair. 

Face
When you do your daily face cleaning routine, include a moisturizer that has an SPF in it. The extra SPF will help stop damaging sun rays from aging your skin. Before applying sunscreen, apply an antioxidant serum. It will add a layer of extra protect onto your face. Apply the sunscreen on your face, but avoid your eyelids. The skin on your eyelids is so thin, that the sunscreen can actually soak right through it and cause damage to your eyes. If you are going to be wearing make-up while outside, use mineral make-up that have ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc in them. The titanium dioxide acts as a sunscreen, and the zinc helps as a healing device for sunburns and other skin irritations. On your lips, add a layer of lip balm with SPF in it. It helps prevent dryness, cracking, and sunburn.

To insure the best protection from the sun, check to make sure your sunscreen has not expired, that you limit your exposure time between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm, and that you are constantly reapplying sunscreen while you are outside. Skin cancer is easily treated and prevented. Avoid going outside without sunscreen, and tanning beds to lower your risk of getting skin cancer. Follow these tips to healthier skin and hair.

~aphrodite