Every time you step out in the sun, you apply sunscreen (we hope you do). Reapply a layer every two hours. But does this guarantee as much protection of your skin from the sun’s destructive rays as you believe? The idea is if you can’t avoid the sun, the best approach is to protect your skin using sunscreen or sunblock. Specifically, a broad-spectrum sunscreen that shields against both UVA and UVB radiation. Both of these rays are hazardous and can cause sunburn and skin cancer. So, what is it that these superhero sunscreens cannot protect us from? Let’s find out.
Here Are The Things Your Sunscreens Fail To Protect You From
No sunscreen protects you completely. Let’s see why.
Tanning
So, will sunscreen protect you from tanning? In short, the answer is yes. However, if you’re wondering, “Does sunscreen prevent tanning completely?” No, it does not. Sunscreen functions as a shield for your skin, but it is not an impenetrable one. Even if you apply plenty of sunscreen, UV rays can still reach your skin and cause a tan – the sunscreen can only reduce the impact to a great extent.
To properly protect your skin from UV radiation, apply your sunscreen appropriately, reapply it frequently, and wear a high enough SPF. Even SPF 100 blocks only 99% of UVB radiation. So, in general, absolute and full sun protection is very impossible to attain. Sun exposure is always a concern, which is why applying sunscreen every day is critical.
Skin Cancer
Sunscreens can help reduce the incidence of at least one type of carcinoma (squamous cell cancer), but the evidence for melanoma is mixed.
The bottom line is this: Though high-quality evidence is patchy and difficult to come by, sunscreen most likely helps minimise the risk of cancer. We do have a lot of intriguing evidence for this. And we know that using sunscreen prevents sunburn, and sunburn is one of the leading predictors of all sorts of skin cancer. However, the studies do not assure that sunscreen can really prevent you from getting chronic cancer.
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Pollutants
Sunscreen can protect you from UV damage, but it is ineffective against pollution. The best thing we can do right now is to use antioxidants such as vitamins C and E. Moreover, eliminating air toxins can be as simple as washing your face with an appropriate cleanser. As you go about your day, air pollutants, or tiny hazardous particles in the air, adhere to your skin. However, it is not instantly harmful and washing it off at the end of the day works well enough.
Like we said, SPF is the best prevention!
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