Tips for Embracing Year-Round Sun Protection

Are you one of the 85 percent who doesn’t know the sun is the number one cause of brown spots, aging and wrinkles? If so, you aren’t alone, and depending on when and where you came of age, your views on sunscreen and sun protection might be very different. Let’s say for instance you grew up in Australia. In a continent surrounded by water and more than its fair share of gorgeous beaches, being outside in the sun is a part of everyday life. What you might not know is that the ozone layer over Australia is thinner. Without this natural level of stratospheric ozone, more ultraviolet (UV) rays in the form of UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays reach the Earth. As a result, the citizens of Australia make year-round sun protection in the form of hats, sunscreen, and skin-protective clothing a priority.

Sun Protection: Sensing a Pattern?

In addition to crumbling ozone layers, humans have the ability to get a whopping sunburn anytime of the year in any place on the planet in any kind of weather. Risks for sunburn and skin cancer exist in many areas such as in the form of high altitude in mountainous areas and flying through the clouds in an airplane. In fact, the risk of sunburn increases at high altitude for every 1,000 feet above sea level.

The All-Encompassing Effect of UV Rays

Low Latitude – this location near the equator puts you closer to the sun

Water – the glassy surface magnifies the sun’s rays and “bounces” them back up to you

High Sun – during the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the sun’s rays are at their strongest

Wind – cold or hot winds strip away the skin’s natural protective oils leaving skin vulnerable

Snow – the reflective surface bounces the sun’s rays between the sky and the ground

Clouds – these layers magnify UV radiation in the form of UVA (aging) rays

Medications – serious sunburns are a side-effect of many prescription and over-the-counter drugs

The Skin Defense

This is why it’s important to always wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 or higher (365 days a year), no matter what the weather may be. Avoiding a sunburn is the first step to preventing skin cancer, the most preventable form of cancer. Vigilance is important because damage from the sun is cumulative. So, whether you’re a former beach bunny who basked in layers of baby oil or a former goddess of the tanning booth, it’s time to create a new plan of sun protection action. With skin cancer being one of the most preventable forms of cancer, it only makes sense to take the necessary steps to prevent sunburns and the visible changes in the skin that cause wrinkles and brown spots.

At Vargas Face and Skin, Dr. Hannah Vargas is ready to address any surgical or non-surgical cosmetic interests you may have. Her primary focus is to help create a beautiful, natural outcome for your specific goals. If you wish to have an in-depth consultation with Dr. Vargas about QuickLift for men or any other cosmetic procedure, please click here to access our Contact Form page.