AMMAN — After
over a year of lockdown due to the
COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve all been
anticipating the end of the school year and the beginning of a much-needed
summer break. Be it a trip to the
Dead Sea with your loved ones or even a
backyard barbeque with your family, we’re here to make sure you make the most
of your summer while keeping your skin safe.
اضافة اعلان
While being
outside is a great way to stay physically active, reduce stress, and get your
daily intake of Vitamin D, your skin needs to be protected from being over exposed
to the sun’s rays. Although you are advised to keep yourself safe from the sun
all throughout the year, the sun’s rays are particularly powerful during the
summer months.
How bad can sun
exposure really be?
The sun emits
rays that cannot be seen or felt by humans, called ultra-violet (UV) rays. The
higher up the sun is in the sky, the higher the UV index. This means that
around midday, the UV rays are the highest.
While the sun
has many benefits like providing light, warmth, and Vitamin D, the harmful
effects of its UV rays can range from mild to severe. Overexposure to sun can
cause your skin to age prematurely. This is referred to as photoaging. It can
be seen through the formation of wrinkles, hyperpigmentation (patches of skin
appear darker than others), rough and red skin, and destruction of collagen
tissue. All these can make someone look much older than they really are.
On a more
severe scale, sun damage can also be responsible for more detrimental effects
on our bodies. According to the CDC, UV rays are the cause of most skin
cancers. And although the harmful effects may not be present immediately after
exposure, it can come back later in life in the form of skin cancer. That’s why
it is important to keep yourself protected from the sun as best as possible.
Melanin
Just like with
any flu or infection, our body produces its very own defence against UV rays. Melanin
is a pigment naturally found in our bodies that is responsible for the many
different skin colors, hair colors, and eye colors.
The amount of melanin that
each person has is mostly genetically determined. Higher melanin typically
means darker skin.
Along with
providing pigmentation, melanin also protects the skin from sun damage. But
that protection alone is not enough, especially for people with lighter
complexions. Having more melanin does not make you immune to the effects of
overexposure. Everyone of all skin tones and age groups should be wary of the
sun’s effects and keep their skin away from overexposure to UV rays.
How to stay
safe
There are many
ways to avoid overexposure. In Jordan, the UV rays are the highest around
10:30am – 4:30pm. During that time, your skin needs the most amount of
protection. Here are several things you can do to protect yourself:
Stay in the shade.
Wear clothing that covers your arms and
legs.
Wear a hat with a wide brim to shade your
face, head, ears, and neck.
Wear sunglasses that block UV rays
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun
protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.
Sunscreen and
SPF
Sunblock is one
of the most important ways of preventing and minimizing the damaging effects of
sun exposure.
It works by blocking and absorbing the harmful UV rays. When used
properly and consistently, sunscreen is proven to decrease risk of skin cancers
by up to 50 percent. It is also responsible for preventing premature skin aging,
making the skin look more radiant and youthful. So, for those looking for
anti-aging products, sunscreen is the best place to start!
So how do you
know which
SPF is right for you? SPF stands for sun
protection factor. The number tells you how long the sun’s UV rays would take
to redden your skin, compared with the amount of time without sunscreen.
So, if
you use an SPF 30 sunscreen, it will take you 30 times longer to burn than if
you used no sunscreen.
Naturally, the higher the SPF the longer the sun
protection.
Because the sun in Jordan can be extremely hot, higher SPF products will
be the best way to protect your skin.
Following the label means reapplying
sunscreen every two or so hours and even though it can be a tedious task, it is
necessary for your overall health and the health of your skin.
Protection from the sun’s harmful rays is one of the best ways to keep
yourself looking young. So, while so many of us search for skin and aging
remedies, from face creams, to scrubs, to masks, and many more, the best
solution is right under our nose. The most important thing you can do for your
skin is protect it from the harmful UV rays every day.
The key is consistency; the more you protect your skin, the younger and
healthier it looks in the long run. As
well as keeping you and your loved ones safe from the more severe effects
associated with UV exposure.
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