With the snow melting and the sun starting to peak through the dark and dreary days, it’s almost time to pull out the tanning oil and lounging chair. But wait! Not so quick. While you’ve heard all about ‘cancer causes skin cancer’ – and it does – there are some other things you need to be aware of being basking in the UV rays.
Hint: You’re baking more than just your skin; you're baking your health away.
A sunburn is a burn from the sun – that’s a no brainer, but what many people fail to realize is that you’re actually burning your skin. It’s like putting a flame to your arm, sans the fire. Over time, this can lead to not only skin cancer (way more common than most people think), but it can also lead to premature aging.
While this sun fact doesn’t apply to all sunscreens, it certainly does to the most generic forms of sun lotion that are packed with all kinds of chemicals. We recently talked about the shocking ingredients in sun skincare products, and you’d be amazed – and not pleasantly so. Some sunscreens have been linked to causing skin allergies, weakened estrogen and testosterone, clogged pores, hormone disruption, headaches, dizziness, asthma and yes, even cancer.
On the brighter side of things, there are many sunscreen products that are safe for your health and beauty. Sun Integrity has a line of absolutely amazing – and safe sunscreen products that are healthy, natural and nourishing.
It’s a common misconception that the sun has to be shining in order for it to burn your skin, but don’t be mistaken. There are two types of UV rays – UVB rays and UVA rays, both of which are present even on sunny and dull days.
And think about it for a second, if the sun’s UV rays can penetrate the atmosphere so much so, imagine what it’s doing to your skin.
While you should be wearing premium, natural sun skincare products regardless of your location, it’s even more important to do so when in an area that’s closer to the equator. For everyone in Hudson, New Hampshire, SPF30 likely does a sufficient job of protecting you from a burn; head to the Caribbean and you’ll be slathering on SPF50 and still burning. So, it’s important to always readjust your SPF and sun skincare depending on where you are, or rather, how close you are to the equator.
Now, there are many people who proclaim that they only tan while on vacation, but you only need two weeks of basking in the sun each year to be at risk of developing skin cancer. And considering you “tan” even when the sun isn’t shining, two weeks of sun exposure is inevitable without being pro-active about sun protection.
Teenagers love tanning. We know – we’ve been there. With “getting old” and “aging skin” seeming so far away, most children and teenagers don’t think twice about laying out in the sun. However, the more you lay out in the sun as a child and/or teenager, the higher your risk of developing skin cancer will be as you age.
We hate to be the bearer of bad news here, but it’s important to know just how dangerous the sun is, so that you can then take the proper precautions to protecting yourself moving forward. Studies have shown that one in five Americans develop skin cancer, which leads us to the next topic…
With regular application of safe sunscreen for at least 15 years of the first 18 years of your life, you can lower the risk of developing certain skin cancers by 75%. Now, just because you’re already past the 18-year-mark doesn’t mean you should give up. It’s never too late to start protecting your skin from the sun, and lowering your risk of developing skin cancer.
The Skin Cancer Foundation reported that more than 90% of visible signs of aging on the skin are caused by the sun. To put that into perspective, if you have been religious about using sun protection for the majority of your life, you can look 90% younger than other people your age who neglected their skin.
More importantly, it’s not too late to start protecting yourself from the harmful UV rays. Now is better than never. So, explore the natural, nourishing sun skincare line by Suntegrity. Not only will these products provide sufficient protection for your skin, but they’re also infused with healthy ingredients for your skin and body.
They have an incredible mineral sunscreen that provides a broad spectrum of both UVA and UVA protection, as well as many SPF cosmetics to ensure every part of your beauty regime is equipped with sun protection. Some of our favourites include:
So, don’t wait until that burn turns into pre-mature aging. Be smart when you’re in the sun, and even smarter when selecting SPF cosmetics and sunscreen. The power of the product is always in the details of the ingredients. As a rule of thumb, you want to steer clear of anything unnatural. Think chemicals, preservatives, parabens, sulfates, fragrances, etc.
Better yet, you can simply play it safe and head on over to Anika Beauty for healthy, premium skincare protection, antiaging skincare products and of course, the amazing Suntegrity line. And if you’re in Hudson, New Hampshire, come stop by! We’d love to teach you all about the wonderful line of products available at Anika Beauty.