Pierrette Mulumba
Sunscreen is important. Whether the sun is shining bright or hiding out during the winter days.
Choosing sunscreen
When selecting a sunscreen, make sure it has broad spectrum protection. No idea what that means? Basically ensure that it’s labelled to protect against both UVA and UVB rays.
UVB rays are responsible for sunburns and skin cancers whereas UVA rays are mostly guilty of causing premature aging but they can also contribute to cancer.
Physical sunscreens are great if you have sensitive skin.
Physical SPFs can leave white residue whilst chemical SPFs absorb UV rays and convert it to heat- basically the sun is absorbed into the skin before it’s kicked back out. If you’re not a fan of potential white residue, go for chemical. They contain ingredients like oxybenzone and avobenzone.
Types of SPF
SPF refers to the products sun protection factor-the level of protection it affords against the UVB/UVA rays. An SPF 30 can filter out about 97% of UVB rays.
Sunscreens with a lower number than that war off too quickly. Then again the higher the rating doesn’t necessarily mean more protection. As long as you apply it well and often; that’s what’s important.
Any product with an SPF above 50 should be avoided. There is not enough data proving that these high SPFs provide adequate protection. Although moisturizers claim to contain SPF- this type of protection doesn’t last the whole day so might as well use proper sunscreen.
Application
- Sunscreens can last for about two hours before they fade so you’ll need to be ready to reapply.
- Apply it 15 to 30 minutes before you go out in the sun.
- Ladies- you can apply sunscreen under your makeup.
- Sunrays have no season. During a cloudy day, only 20% of the rays won’t touch you so always try to apply two tablespoons of the product to cover your entire body.
Ingredient Watch
- Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide- they sit on top of your skin and block harmful rays. Then again there are some products that contain these two ingredients and they can leave you looking pale and chalky.
- Ecamsule- proven to block UVA.
- Vitamin A (retinyl palmitate) – Vitamin A doesn’t play well with the sun and this can leads to tumours.
- Kid-friendly- Don’t use sunscreen for kids that contains benzophenones like dioxybenzone as this can irritate their skin and cause rashes.
- Fragrances, Alcohol and preservatives- If you have skin problems or allergies like eczema and rosacea; avoid sunscreens with alcohol, fragrances, or preservatives.
Does my dark skin need sunscreen?
Darker skin tones produce more melanin so they have a built-in SPF thus there are fewer UV rays penetrating the skin. When you’re in the sun for too long, your melanin increases but this isn’t a good thing. The body is overproducing the melanin to compensate for the sun damage.
Sunburn may not be as obvious on darker skins but this doesn’t mean anything. Your skin can feel hot, tight and ache. Furthermore; sun damage can also lead to hyperpigmentation and grossly speed up the aging process. If anything changes in your skin- be it a mole or whatever- rush to a dermatologist. Signs of skin cancer can also appear at the bottom of your feet and underneath your toenails- a la Bob Marley who died from melanoma.
There’s more to sun protection than sunscreen
- Cover up- As hot as the idea may sound, covering up whilst in the sun provides great protection. Also, pair the outfit with sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat. Try sunglasses that block at least 99 % UV light and the hat will easily block any rays.
- Don’t throw shade, live it- Try keep out of direct sunlight- especially between 10:00 and 16:00 as this is when UV rays are strongest.
- Stop using tanning beds- In trying to add a little colour to your skin; you’re actually damaging it. Using tanning beds can cause serious skin damage and increase the risks of skin cancers.
