Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Ten Tips For Using Sunblock

By Sanjib Sarkar

Sunscreen is used by quite a few people to help avoid sun burn and skin cancer. However, if you do not have the correct sunscreen, it will not protect your skin from sun burn or skin cancer. Using these tips, you can avoid sunburn and protect yourself against skin caner.

Tip #1 SPF Of 30 Or Higher Should Be Used When Applying Sunblock

Sunscreen provides a defense from sunburn and skin cancer. SPF 30 provides 30 times of protection from the sun. This basically means that if you get sun burned in 10 minutes, SPF 30 will provide 300 minutes of protection from the sun. SPF 15 will provide 150 minutes of defense from the sun if your skin gets burned in 10 minutes.

Tip #2 Make Sure To Use A Broad Spectrum Sun Block

Sunblock with broad spectrum protection provides a defense against UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays exist even if there is no sun out. These rays may potential cause skin cancer. UVB rays exist when the sun comes out. These rays can cause sun burn and skin cancer if the skin is left unprotected.

Tip #3 Be Sure To Reapply Sun Block Early And Often

Sunscreen is broken down by water. This even happens to waterproof sunblock. Frequently apply sunblock at least one time per hour if you are near or in water. Use the sunscreen daily.

Tip #4 Apply sunblock while resting in the shade or away from the sun.

UVA rays are still touching your skin even thought their is no sunlight.

Tip #5 Make sure the ingredients in your sunblock do not contain Oxybenzone.

A possible contributing factor to skin cancer is the ingredient Oxybenzone. Sunblock that has the ingredient Zinc Oxide or Titanium Oxide should be considered instead.

Tip #6 New Sun Screen Should Be Purchased Yearly

Many sunblock do not provide the same level of defense after a year of time. The sunblock loses the amount of sun defense that they once could give.

Tip #7 Get Some Rest At Noon

The proper time to get out of the sun is 12:00PM. The rays from the sun are the much stronger during the 12:00PM to 3:00PM time period.

Tip #8 Sun Glasses, Tight Shirts and Hats Need To Be Warn

Sunglasses with UV protection protect your eyes, a hat will defend your scalp from the sun rays and a tight shirt will block the sun rays from your body.

Tip #9 Going To The Beach Requires Extra Protection

Sunblock needs to used much more frequently when going to the beach. The sand and water increase the strength of the sun light. Higher altitudes also see an increase in the strength of the sun.

Tip #10 Be Sure To Drink Plenty Of Water

Drinking water frequently improves sun protection and keeps your skin from drying out. - 16083

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