What Happens When You Don't Wear Sunscreen
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INTRO
Hello and welcome back to another mini episode of the Fairface Podcast!
Today I want to give you a get-right-to-the-point episode about why you should be wearing sunscreen every single day.
I've shared with you before about my dysfunctional relationship with sunscreen over the years, back in episodes 10 and 11 and how I'm a HUGE believer in wearing sunscreen, and not just because of how much it helps protect my Rosacea prone skin.
There are so many benefits and it is a such important part of preventative care.
But it seems that no matter how much I talk about it, there are people (even some close to me) who still don't believe it really matters.
So I thought if I simplify it and break it down, maybe I can change some minds...
So let's get right to it.
First you need to understand what sunscreen is protecting you from.
What is sunscreen protecting my skin from?
Sunscreen is essentially a barrier that protects your face and skin from ultraviolet rays that are harmful to your skin.
People often confuse wearing sunscreen with how likely they think they are to get a sunburn that day...which is not the gauge you should follow.
Just the other morning, as I was getting ready, I was telling my husband, I needed to wait til my sunscreen had set to put my make-up on.
And he said, "Sunscreen? It's cloudy and raining!"
And I'm thinking, "Do you even know me at all?"
THE FACT IS:
UVA/UVB rays are ALWAYS present to some degree in the light of day because they come from sunlight. These ultraviolet rays are always harmful, though the intensity varies by the time of day and time of year.
So even on a cloudy or rainy day, the sun is still up in the sky shining, even if you can't see it.
There can be less of these harmful rays that reach the earth because of cloud cover, time of year and time of day (*you can look at the UV Index to see what that number is and we'll talk about that next), but the harmful rays are still there. UV rays can even go below the surface of the water.
My sunscreen rule to live by:
When the sun comes up, the sunscreen goes on. It's an every day habit no matter what.
Let's quickly look at what the UV index is-
What is the UV Index?
The UV Index gives us an idea of how strong the UV light is in your area on any given day.
The higher the number, the greater risk of exposure to UV rays and a higher chance of sunburn and skin damage that could ultimately lead to skin cancer. -cancer.org
Here in Seattle today, on the 1st of March when I'm recording this, the UV index was 0 at 9:30am this morning, and when I checked again an hour later, it was a 1, and an hour later, it was still at a 1.
So for me today, with a UV reading of 0-2, there is a low risk of sunburn for the average person if you are in the sunlight without sunscreen or any other protection.
It is still recommended though, even at this low level, to protect your skin from ultraviolet rays by wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 ore more, and sunglasses, and to watch out for bright surfaces like sand, water and snow that can reflect UV rays, increasing your exposure.
The time to burn your skin can vary by skin type, but at a low UV level it is approximately 60 minutes.
So if you're interested in knowing what the UV index shows for your area, you can look at the weather app on your phone and scroll down the bottom or look it up online.
You can also learn what the different levels mean as far as exposure and risk of burning and damage on The UV Index Scale.
*Basically, the higher the number on the scale, the more diligent you should be about doing things like staying out of the sun, re-applying sunscreen, or adding additional protective measures. But hands down, you should always be wearing sunscreen.
sources: derm-specialists.com; aimatmelanoma.org
Now, if it's more motivating to you to wear sunscreen because of the THREAT of what will happen to your skin and appearance if you don't wear it, let's look at from that angle.
What do UVA and UVB rays do to your skin?
When your skin is exposed, unprotected, to UVA and UVB rays, it can actually damage the DNA in your skin cells, resulting in cell mutations that can lead to skin cancer. -skincancer.org
UVA rays reach deep into the skin and are the predominant cause of aging, wrinkling, loose skin, and sunspots. -Sungrubbies.com
These rays can also damage the eye, including developing cataracts and eyelid cancers." -skincancer.org
So if you want to look older than you are and have deep wrinkles, growths, sunspots, loose skin and other signs of aging, and you want to risk getting skin cancer, then don't wear sunscreen.
I know, that sounds so mean, but that's in essence what you're choosing to do for your skin, right, if you don't put a barrier around it to prevent these harmful rays from damaging your skin.
Make Wearing Sunscreen a Daily Habit
Instead of worrying about what the exact UV index is in your area, just make wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 a habit, like brushing your teeth. It's something that goes on every single day.
I know some people don't like to wear it because they don't like the way it feels or how it looks on their skin. If that's the case, I would suggest trying a few different ones until you find one you're comfortable with. There are so many to choose from these days.
I've been wearing Eucerin SPF 30 on my face for years and I like it because it's a very light-weight feel.
And don't forget to put it on your neck, chest and hands to prevent damage there as well.
Let me quickly sum up this "Sunscreen Smackdown" in 7 points:
1. Wearing sunscreen protects your face and skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays.
2. Wearing sunscreen should not be determined by how likely you think it is that you'll get sunburned that day.
3. UVA and UVB rays are ALWAYS present to some degree as long as the sun is out, even behind cloud cover.
4. The UV Index is a tool that shows how strong the UV light is in your area on any given day. The higher the number, the greater the risk.
5. Choose to protect your skin cells so they won't develop into cancer by wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, every day.
6. Choose to honor yourself and your skin AND your future skin by protecting it now from developing deep wrinkles, sun spots, growths and sagging skin. You want to look in the mirror and love what you see, now and for many years to come. Regret won't change anything later.
7. Follow my sunscreen rule: When the sun comes up, the sunscreen goes on. Make wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 or higher, a DAILY HABIT, no matter what (*in addition to any SPF found in your make-up because you can't put on enough make-up to be totally protected).
So what do you think? Have I convinced you yet?
Maybe you're already a sunscreen believer like me.
I really hope this will help put into perspective why you should be wearing sunscreen every single day. To benefit yourself now and the future you!
It's often said that the BEST anti-aging tip from many Dermatologists, is simply to wear sunscreen. And it is so simple! You can start today, even if you haven't done it in the past.
Well, that's all for now. I hope this episode has helped you.
Reach out to me with your thoughts or any questions you might have, on Instagram or Facebook @FairfaceWashcloths.
As always, thank you so much for being here, I really do appreciate it, and I will see you next time.
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