Exposure to the direct rays of the sun causes damage to skin due to the UV A and UV B radiation which are carcinogenic. And to deal with this issue, using a good sunscreen is a must for everyone. But the question is Are You Using Your Sunscreen The Correct Way? Here are some myths busted about UV damage and sunscreen protection and the correct facts stated against them. Keep reading to find out the sunscreen myths and facts if you had any wrong notion about these:

Myth: Higher SPF provides greater protection

Fact:

This is totally a wrong notion that many people have. The SPF actually gives you information about the time of protection from the sun. So, a sunscreen with higher SPF will provide you protection from the UV rays for a longer period of time but the amount of protection is just the same!

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Myth : Sunscreen once applied in the morning keeps you going for the entire day

Fact:

All sunscreens lose their effectiveness after few hours,(higher SPF ones protect for longer hours) and then they must be reapplied again.

Myth : Waterproof sunscreen

Fact:

There is no such sunscreen which is 100% waterproof. So, even if you have applied a waterproof sunscreen, you need to reapply your sunscreen once you step out of water.

Myth: Applying sunscreen prevents your body from vitamin D synthesis

Fact:

Though it’s correct that our body needs exposure to the direct rays of the sun for vitamin D synthesis, but this exposure is required for a very small amount of time firstly. And secondly, the sunlight can penetrate our clothes and of course no one applies sunscreen underneath one’s clothes.

Myth: We needn’t apply sunscreen on cloudy days

Fact:

The real fact is 80% of the rays of the sun can penetrate through the clouds and reach our skin. So, applying sunscreen on cloudy days is also equally important.

Myth: We needn’t apply sunscreen in cold snowy areas

Fact:

The real fact is exactly the opposite! Applying a sunscreen in snowy areas is yet more important because in snowy areas, your skin is subjected to the direct rays of the sun plus the rays of the sun reflected back from the snow! So, your exposure to the solar radiation is theoretically double there and thus a good protective sunscreen is very important!

Myth: Make up itself protects your skin from the sun

Fact:

The layers of makeup might be providing a little amount of protection from the sun but that protection is negligible when compared to that of a sunscreen. So, a sunscreen should always be applied along with make up.

Myth: Dark skinned people needn’t apply sunscreen

Fact:

The skin of dark skinned people might already be little resistant to the adverse effects of sunlight due to the high quantity of melanin in their skin but still their skin remains to be vulnerable to the UV A rays which can cause pre mature ageing.

Myth: A thin layer of sunscreen is enough to protect your skin from the harmful solar radiation

Fact:

Not really! If you are using a mineral sunscreen, then you apply it generously to enjoy its efficiency!

Myth: One should apply sunscreen just before going out in the sun

Fact:

If you are using a chemical sunscreen, then it must be applied at least 20-30 minutes before stepping out in the sun in order to allow your skin to absorb the sunscreen and start it’s effectiveness.

Myth: Sunscreen prevents your skin from sun-tanning

Fact:

Our skin has melanocytes ( melanin producing cells; P.S. melanin is a brown pigment that determines the skin complexion… More the melanin production, darker is the skin complexion ).. Now in case of tanning, when our skin is exposed to sunlight, then the melanocytes produce more melanin as a result of which our skin tone gets darker. Now, this is a good thing, because the brown pigment can help to protect the skin from some of the sun’s damage. So, a sunscreen doesn’t stop your skin from getting darker under the sun; it only protects your skin from the harmful UV radiation.

To prevent your skin from getting darker under the sun, you must use an umbrella!

Myth: If you are indoors, you are safe from UV damage

Fact:

Not really! Infact your house must have open spaces, glass doors and glass window through which sunlight comes in.No, I am not asking you to apply a sunscreen at home as well. Just all you need to do is apply any regular cream, lotion, moisturiser,serum whatever is there in your skincare routine, just apply it and don’t leave your skin completely bare.

Myth: The craze for UV protect shampoos, conditioners and hair serums

Fact:

The shaft of your hair i.e. the strand is a dead cell and is not prone to UV damage. But the direct sunlight can cause fading of color incase you have coloured hair and the high heat of the sun makes your hair dry and brittle.Also,your scalp needs protection. But for all these, UV protect shampoos and conditioners is not the solution. All you need to do is use a hat, scarf or at least an umbrella.

Myth: You can use your sunscreen until you run out of it

Fact:

This is a totally wrong conception. The active ingredients in the sunscreen degrade very easily with time and thus loses its effectiveness. So,it is very important to discard using the sunscreen once you cross the expiration date even if a lot of product is left unused.

Take care!

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