Prepare Your Skin for the Summer

Ultraviolet radiation is the energy the sun gives off that causes nasty things like skin cancer and advanced aging. Unless you want to end up looking like a human prune this summer, you had better make sure you're protected from the sun's invisible intruders.

Our planet's ozone layer filters out the most harmful rays, which are called UVC. That's great. Unfortunately, we still have to go up against UVB and UVA rays. These guys target the outer and more deeper layers of skin, respectively. They cause things from sunburn to death, depending on the severity. Ultraviolet rays can even burn you on cloudy days and even at night.

The best thing you can do to avoid getting deadly levels of UVR is to completely avoid sunlight altogether. Most people don't find this to be too much fun, especially during the summer months, and choose instead to coat their skin with sunscreen and protective clothes.

SPF unmasked
SPF stands for sun protection factor, and it represents a particular sunscreen's ability to block dangerous UV rays. Make sure your sunscreen blocks both UVA and UVB rays. If the sunscreen doesn't specify both UVA and UVB protection, chances are you're only blocking half of the sun's damage.

The higher the SPF factor, the more protection it offers. The smallest SPF you will find is SPF 2, which is completely inadequate protection for your skin. The strongest SPF exceeds SPF 60. The numbering system is kind of tricky. An SPF 30 sunscreen blocks more UV rays than an SPF 10, but it's not three times more protective. Due to the confusion, the SPF rating system is currently being reworked to move towards a more efficient numbering system.

The SPF for you
You definitely want a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to 45. You also want a sunscreen that provides "broad spectrum" protection. This blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Look for ingredients like zinc oxide, titanium dioxide and octyl-methoxycinnamate to make sure you're actually getting broad spectrum protection. Ask your dermatologist for which sunscreens are best for your particular skin.

Other things to do
If you're concerned about your skin, keep out of direct sunlight when it's most extreme, usually from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Wearing protective clothing, such as large-brimmed hats, is another great way to protect yourself. Don't be afraid to wear long sleeves and pants if you have to. It might sound silly, but it can be the best protection you can offer your skin in some circumstances, and it sure beats skin cancer.

Make sure to keep an eye on your skin during the summer. If you see any irregularities or changes in your skin be sure to contact a dermatologist or other medical attention immediately.