When you go outside, there are a few things to keep in mind to protect your skin from the sun. The sun feels great and boosts your mood, but too much sun can put your skin at risk.
In this article, we’ll talk about UV light and how it affects you – as well as some easy ways to protect yourself against it.
How does the sun’s UV light affect your skin?
UV light causes damage to your skin when it causes a chemical change in the DNA of the cells in your skin. The more UV light you’re exposed to, the more damage you get and over time, this can lead to wrinkles and cancer. While it is most commonly known that too much sun can cause cancer, even a few blistering burns from too much sun as a child can lead to premature aging as an adult. At first, your skin will tan (go darker) and then if you continue getting burned or get new burns over old ones then they’re likely to scar or peel.
How much sun is too much?
It’s hard to give a specific number when it comes to how much sun is too much. Everyone’s skin responds differently, so while one person may be fine with a few burns here and there, another person needs more time in the shade or wearing sunscreen.
How can I protect my skin from the sun?
The best thing you can do is take care of your skin by using sunscreen and avoiding the sun during the hours of 10am-4pm (when it is strongest). It takes about 20 minutes for your skin to notice that it has been burned – and once that happens, it has already been damaged.
And remember – you shouldn’t rely on sunscreen alone to protect your skin. You should still wear a hat and long sleeves/pants while you’re in the sun.
How can I avoid the harmful effects of the sun? Learn about the effective tips to protect your skin from the sun