Beauty Control - Sunscreen

Back after a holiday at the beach and saddled with a tan? Are you faced with blotchy red skin and wrinkles due to overexposure to the sun? We take a look at how the sunrays can cause harmful effects on your skin. We examine an important aspect of beauty control - sunscreen. We look at how sunscreens can help in minimizing the damage done by the sunrays on our skin. In fact, wearing sunscreens is an essential part of any beauty routine. Find out more on biodegradable sunscreens.

Need for sunscreen

An important aspect of beauty for woman is to avoid the harmful effects of the sun's rays on the skin. The best protection from the sun is to stay out of it. The sun emits ultraviolet (UV) rays. Prolonged exposure to these UV rays can cause many changes in the skin. Discoloration, sunburn, freckles, wrinkles and age spots are some of the possible reactions. In addition, moles and pre-cancerous or cancerous growths such as basal cell carcinoma and melanoma can also be caused by over exposure to the sun. Sunrays contain UVA and UVB rays.

UVA rays can cause damage to the skin on prolonged exposure. Most sunscreen products work by blocking UVB rays. UVA rays don't cause sunburns but can lead to long lasting ill effects on the skin. UVA rays account for nearly 95% of all ultraviolet energy. UVA rays are released throughout the daylight hours unlike UVB rays that peak from 11 a.m to 3 p.m. UVA rays are known to permeate glass windshields and clothing. UVB rays don't penetrate the skin layer as much as UVA rays. They cause your skin to tan, which is in fact the skin's natural protection process.

• Over a period of time, the sun's UV rays cause damage to the fibers in the skin. The elastin breaks down and wrinkles are formed.
  
• Skin cancer is one of the deadliest fallout of UV radiation. Sunlamps and tanning booths that are used for artificial tanning can also cause skin cancer.
  

Using sun protection

If you cannot prevent exposing yourself to sun, the next best thing is to protect your skin with adequate beauty control product like sunscreen. It is a myth that sunscreen needs to be used only in summer. The winter sun too can wreak havoc on the skin and adequate skin protection is required. Sunscreens come as lotions, creams, gels, sprays and oils.

A good sunscreen is effective against UVA and UVB rays. The SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is critical when selecting a sunscreen lotion. The SPF is indicative of the amount of exposure that your skin can handle from UVB rays before it turns red. A SPF of at least 15 is recommended for all skin types. Fair or light skinned people are generally more sensitive to the sun. Such skin will not tan but will burn easily. They need to go in for a sunscreen with SPF 25.

Olive toned skin or skin of Mediterranean or Asian or Arab origin tans easily and needs SPF 15. Dark skinned people too would need adequate beauty control with sunscreen. The freckles and wrinkles may not be apparent immediately on dark skin but it would also be damaged by over exposure to the sun. Other than sunscreens, you must wear the right clothing that will protect your skin from the sun's rays. A wide brimmed hat and sunglasses offer added sun protection. If you are going to be out in snow or ice, remember that you need your beauty control sunscreen all the more, as snow reflects light.

Wear sunscreen

Ideally, sunscreen must be applied at least 15 minutes before going outdoors. A generous amount of sunscreen must be applied to all parts of the body that will be exposed to the sun. Do not forget your ears and the back of your neck. If you are swimming or sweating excessively, you need to re apply your beauty control sunscreen. These days many beauty products such as foundations and lip creams contain SPF 15.

In addition to these beauty control tips for protection from the sun, it would be prudent to clean your skin with a gentle cleanser once you are back from the sun. This can be followed with a moisturizer that is rich in Vitamin E and Aloe Vera.