Yay! Today is Sunscreen Protection Day. The team at Skin Bar wanted to take this opportunity to educate and raise awareness of the importance of protecting your skin from harmful UV rays from the sun. We don’t want you frying like bacon out there!

UV Stands For Ultraviolet Rays

There are two main types of damaging ultraviolet (UV) sunlight: UVA and UVB. UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin, damaging the middle layer known as the dermis. Within the dermis are the tissues that maintain the skins elasticity. If the dermis is damaged – the skin wrinkles and ages. UVB rays are absorbed by the top layer of skin known as the epidermis. This layer is where your skin tans, but if not protected properly – can also burn.

With the steady depletion of the ozone layer above the earth, more and stronger UV rays get through. This means wearing sunscreen is more important than ever, and wearing it every day!

Too Much Sun

Overexposure to the sun can cause a number of health problems. It can cause skin cancer, sunspots, sunstroke, and heat exhaustion, to name but a few. It can also result in premature aging of your skin.

Sunscreen Sunscreen Sunscreen

In addition to covering up and staying out of the sun during peak hours, one of the main ways to protect yourself is by using sunscreen. It is an absolute must! Doctors and medical professionals advocate it’s use as it helps your body guard itself against not just skin but overall health problems. They recommend a Skin Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or more.

Sunscreens should be used for all outdoor activities, not just when you’re sunbathing – use it everyday! For example when you’re working in the garden, sitting outside at lunch, swimming… Remember UV rays can also penetrate through the clouds, so remember to wear sunscreen even on cloudy days!