Even though some of us want to be tan, the sun actually causes a lot of harm to our skin. Long exposure to the sun’s UV rays can have a variety of negative effects on you and your health, so today’s perfect tan may not be the perfect tan 5-10 years from now.

How to Enforce Sun Protection

Even if you spend a lot of time outside, there are many ways to keep your skin safe from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

• Wear layers that offer coverage. Light, long sleeves and full length pants can act as a barrier between your skin and the sun.
• Wear hats. Full brimmed hats protect your scalp, ears, neck, and face from too much sun exposure.
• Use sunscreen. There are several varieties of sunscreen to fit your lifestyle, activities, and skin. Some are developed specifically for sports, swimming, matching skin tones, specific skin types, and more. Using a broad spectrum sunscreen is optimal because it protects your skin against both UVA and UVB rays.
• Reapply your sunscreen. Applying sunscreen once isn’t enough! It begins to wear off after time, especially when you’re active and sweating or swimming. Make sure to reapply after 2 hours!
• Look for shade. If you can, stay out of the sun by finding shade on a sunny day.
• Use fake tanner. If you’re still wanting to look tan and sunkissed, a fake tanner is a much safer route. These don’t expose you to cancer-causing UV rays.
• Stay away from tanning beds! Even though tanning beds aren’t the same as the sun, they have the same rays, the same methods, and the same dangerous effects of darkening your skin.

What does the sun do to your skin?

The sun does more than tan and burn your skin. Without sun protection, the sun can also cause visible aging to take place sooner than it would normally and cause various skin cancers.

Aging

Heavy sun exposure can cause increased or accelerated symptoms of aging. Wrinkles, age spots, and lessened skin elasticity are all caused when the sun’s UV rays penetrate your skin.

Cancer

Other than genetics, the sun is the central cause of skin cancers. Melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma are three types of skin cancer than arise due to genetic predisposition and sun exposure. Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer and is becoming more prominent in young adult patients. The best way to minimize the chance of this cancer developing is to keep your skin safe when in the sun.

Montrose Dermatology is here to help keep your skin safe! We offer methodsof reducing the appearance of early aging and wrinkles caused by the sun. Call (970) 964-4036 to learn more about our sun protection products or get your skin checked.