The Importance of Sun Protection in College: SPF & UV Safety

By Carmen Polk

Sunscreen is a crucial product designed to protect our skin. Our skin is subjected to hundreds of harmful rays. These rays are called ultraviolet radiation (UV) that are emitted by the sun. UV radiation is divided into two main types: UVA and UVB. Both can have detrimental effects on the skin. Whether you’re in college, high school, work, etc., you should put sunscreen in your skincare routine. You should always put sunscreen on at least 15 minutes before you head outside. It’s also important to reapply sunscreen every two hours. Below are several reasons sunscreen should be in everyone’s skincare routine.

Protection Against Skin Cancer

Long exposure to UV radiation is a major risk factor for skin cancer, including melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Sunscreen acts like a barrier that helps protect the skin from harsh radiation. If you don’t wear sunscreen, you’re putting yourself at risk of UV penetrating your skin and damaging your DNA. Developing skin cancer is one of the most detrimental things if you don’t use sunscreen.

Prevention of Premature Aging

We all want to look young forever. There is no purpose in doing your wonderful skincare routine to prevent aging if there’s no sunscreen. Yes, the sun could promote skin aging. UV radiation accelerates the aging process. It causes wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots. Regular use of sunscreen could help protect your skin from unnecessary damage.

Prevention of Sunburn

UVB radiation is responsible for causing sunburn. Sunburn not only causes immediate discomfort like redness of the skin, heat rashes, etc. It could also cause long-term skin damage like premature aging, skin cancer, and other ailments. If you do receive some kind of sunburn, you could use aloe vera kind of products to help soothe the rashes. 

Lower Risk of Hyperpigmentation

Many of us have these nice skincare routines to eliminate hyperpigmentation. However, you won’t see the results you’re looking for because you’re canceling out your progress. Sun rays have a counterattack for all the goodness you’re doing because it darkens your marks. UV radiation can lead to uneven skin tones, dark sports, and more. Simply including sunscreen in your routine will help speed up the process of your desired skin.

Now that you know the dangers of sunscreen, follow the steps below to ensure the full quality of the product:

• Select The Right Sunscreen For YOU: opt for using a sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or more. Also, know if you want a mineral or chemical sunscreen. Darker skin tones tend to go for mineral-based sunscreen due to not leaving a white cast.
• Apply Generously: If you’re applying sunscreen to your face, you should apply two fingers worth. If you’re applying it to your body, the proper amount would be a shot glass amount.
• Apply Early: Put on sunscreen at least 15 to 30 minutes before exposing yourself to the sun. This gives it enough time to activate on the skin.
• Reapply: Wearing sunscreen is the best first step; However, you have to ensure consistency throughout the day. Sunscreen ideally should be reapplied every two hours.

In conclusion, sunscreen stands as a barrier against the sun’s harshness. It guards us against sunburn, premature aging, skin cancer, and hyperpigmentation. It promotes skin health on the outside and inside. It is the last and most crucial step of anyone’s skincare routine, and realizing the dangers of not using it will help you in the long run. Following all the advice given above will give you the results you need.