Sunscreen Wearing Tips

Jody Morse
If you are interested in making sure that you are wearing your sunscreen the right way to avoid any adverse side effects from the sun, you've come to the right place. Here, you will learn about some of the things to do in order to ensure that you are getting the maximum amount of protection from your sunscreen.

Choosing the Right Sunscreen For You

Before you can get the ultimate amount of protection from sunscreen, the most important thing that you are going to need to do is choose the sunscreen which is the most appropriate for you.

1. The most important factor that you will need to take into consideration is how sensitive your skin is to the sun. If you are prone to getting sunburn, you will want to choose a sunscreen that contains a higher SPF. If you do not sunburn, you will probably be okay if you should choose a sunscreen with a lower SPF content. You should also consider whether or not you have had sun poison before. Since it is typically a reoccurring condition, choosing a higher SPF will be important if you want to prevent yourself from getting sun poison again.

2. Another one of the main factors that you will want to think about when choosing the right sunscreen is how much time you spend in the sun. As a general rule of thumb, the more time that you spend in the sun, the higher the SPF content of your sunscreen should be. Determining how much time you spend outdoors is really a great way to decide what type of protection you need.

3. Where you live is another one of the factors which is often not taken into consideration when choosing sunscreen, but should be. The closer that you live to the equator, the higher the amount of SPF content your sunscreen should contain. While it is possible to develop skin cancer or other adverse skin effects anywhere, your chances of developing them are much higher if you are located closer to the equator. It is important to wear a higher SPF content sunscreen in these locations, even if you are only planning on vacationing.

4. Keep in mind that choosing the highest amount of SPF is often a good choice. Opting for at a sunscreen with at least 30 SPF is a good idea. If you know that you burn pretty badly, then you might want to consider a sunscreen with 45 SPF. You will experience the least adverse effects with a higher SPF.

5. Choosing waterproof sunscreen is usually the most advantageous, especially if you are planning on mainly using your sunscreen during days at the pool or on vacation. Regular sunscreen will wash off in water.

Sunscreen Application Tips

Now that you have decided what sunscreen you is right for you, the most important thing is to make sure that you apply your sunscreen the right way. Although it may seem as though it is common sense, there are some things that you may need to think about when it comes to how you apply sunscreen, as well as when you should apply or reapply it.

1. Much like any type of lotion or cream, you will want to make sure that you apply an even amount of sunscreen on all areas of your skin. If you know that there are areas of your skin which tend to sunburn most frequently, applying more to these areas may be a good idea. This should be done thirty minutes before you plan on going in the sun, and while your skin is dry.

2. It is important to remember parts of your body that you might not necessary think of burning. Two very common areas to get sunburn that most people do not think about very often are your ears and your feet, as both are very common areas for people to burn badly. If you are bald or have bald spots, it is important to make sure that you put sunscreen on them.

3. There are various instances in which you should be sure to reapply your sunscreen. After you take a dip in the pool, unless you have opted to buy waterproof sunscreen, you will need to reapply because it will wash off otherwise. You will also need to reapply your sunscreen if you have sweat due to exercise or the heat. If you are planning on spending a long day in the sun, you should reapply your sunscreen several times in order to ensure that you will remain protected.

4. Keep in mind that you can get sunburn even if the sun is not out. In fact, the most common time to get sunburn is when the sky is overcast. It is important to make sure that you still apply your sunscreen during these times.

5. Your skin is not the only thing which needs to be protected from the sun. Wearing sunglasses that will offer you UV protection is also very important.

Published by Jody Morse - Featured Contributor in Health & Wellness

Jody Morse has a B.A. in English from East Stroudsburg University. As a sufferer of endometriosis, she enjoys writing about women's health issues. She has worked as an assistant wedding DJ, and is dabbling i...  View profile

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