If you care about the condition of your skin, you are familiar with sunscreen. Sunscreen labels warn against getting the product in your eyes, and the idea of putting bad-tasting substances on the lips is unappealing. Both areas need protection from the sun. According to the University of Iowa, sun exposure in these areas leads to cataracts, poor skin condition and skin cancer.
Sunscreens
Composed of chemicals that block the sun, sunscreens protect the skin from harmful ultraviolet rays. Sunscreens are available in a wide variety of forms, including lotion, oil spray, gel and stick. Other ways to protect the skin are wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, tight-weave fabrics, and avoiding the sun as much as possible. Avoiding the sun altogether is not feasible for most people.
Sunlight
Ultraviolet or UV rays are divided by type. UVB rays will give you a painful sunburn as well as increase your risk for skin cancer. UVA rays are bad news also. They penetrate deeper into the skin and cause more wrinkles. UVA rays can also cause skin cancer. They are more common in sunlight and occur 500 times more frequently than UVB rays, according to the University of Iowa.
Eyes and Lips
Often overlooked, lips and eyes need sun protection. Sun protection for lips is available in the form of lip balm. Sold in a stick form, these formulations are pleasant-tasting and gentle enough to be used in the eye area as well. Complete coverage of the skin in the eye area and the eyes themselves can be obtained by sunglasses. Look for glasses that provide protection against both kinds of UV rays.
Sun Exposure Dangers
Exposure to sun can cause cosmetic damage to skin as well as serious health problems. Solar lentigo, also known as liver spots, make you look older and are caused by sun exposure. Wrinkles and loss of skin tone are also the result of sun exposure. If you develop rough scaly spots, consult a dermatologist. These spots known as actinic keratosis can become skin cancers, warns the University of Iowa.
How Sunscreen Works
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, sunscreen can absorb rays. Sunscreen can also reflect or scatter rays so they cannot damage skin. Rated with a sun protection factor or SPF, sunscreens that have higher SPF scores offer more protection from the sun. An SPF of 10 would allow you to stay in the sun 10 times longer. A high SPF is not foolproof; it only measures how well the agent blocks UVB rays, not UVA rays, according to University of Iowa.
