Sunscreen 101

Hello everyone!  How’s the weather?

Here in Malta, it feels like Summer.  That’s the reason I’ve been MIA this week; I’ve been enjoying the good weather! J

Sunny days = High SPF sunscreen/sun-block days.  That means; it’s time to talk sun-blocks…

• Everyone, regardless of skin type, should be wearing a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 daily.

• The SPF indicates how much longer you can stay in the sun without burning than you could with unprotected skin.  For example, if it takes 15 minutes for a person to burn without sunscreen, an SPF 15 will (theoretically) allow him or her to stay in the sun 15 times longer without burning. 

• Sun-blocks should be applied at least 30 minutes prior to sun exposure.  Even water-resistant/proof sunscreens need to be re-applied every 1-2 hours. 

• A good sunscreen needs to cover both the UVA and UVB spectrum of radiation.

• The most serious form of skin cancer is malignant melanoma.  Malignant melanomas start as small brown/ black marks (look like moles).  They can also develop from an existing mole. 

• The best way to catch skin cancer early is to check your skin regularly.  You need to be looking for any changes in size, shape, texture, and colour of existing moles or birthmarks.

• Skin cancer can pop up anywhere, even between your toes, on your scalp, on your lips and in your ears, so be sure to apply sunscreen from your head to your feet.  (Some people look at me like I'm crazy when they see my re-applying my sunscreen at the beach.  Lol!)

Trivia:

Last summer my cousin’s bf told me I was “too pale” and that “I needed to go out in the sun more”.  Really?!  My answer to that was very similar to what Leonard once told Penny “I'm not indoorsy.  I just wear the appropriate sun-block because I don't take melanoma lightly.” (The Big Bang Theory 02x11)  And that I love my skin colour and don’t feel the need to change it as the seasons change! ;)

Enjoy the good weather and take good care of your skin!

XOXO

Euphrasie85