We all need our daily moment in the sun – and I mean that literally. The sun provides us with Vitamin D, essential for helping us to absorb calcium better for stronger bones. The feeling of the sun on our skin can also give us an enormous sense of wellbeing.
But there’s a serious side to sun exposure, one that most of us know about by now, but one, which a surprising amount of us don’t worry about enough – sun damage. Too much sun exposure can severely damage our skin, eyes and even go as far as suppressing our immune systems. Even worse, sun exposure can cause skin cancers and according to research people in their 20s are at a higher risk.
From the moment we are born, it is essential that we protect our skin with sunscreen from UV rays- particularly the harsh UV rays in New Zealand, and particularly during the summer months (though daily sun protection in a moisturiser is recommended year-round). Even if you tan well, you are still damaging your skin by exposing it to the sun. It’s a myth to think otherwise. If you want to tan, you still need to wear sunblock. But if you really want to be safe and ensure you’re putting you skin health first, you shouldn’t ever lie in the sun. It may feel great that moment, but we need to think more about the health of our skin in the future.
There are 3 different types of sunrays of which we need to be aware. The first is UVA, which is the cause of aging, wrinkles, pigmentation and also contributes to skin cancers (melanomas). This is the most common ray to which we’re regularly exposed and experience skin damage. The second ray is UVB, responsible for sunburns, cataracts and immune suppressions, as well as also contributing to skin cancers. UVC is the third and most dangerous of the rays, but they can’t penetrate the ozone layer (though we know the ozone layer is damaged around NZ).
Still it’s surprising in the height of summer in the peak of the day’s sun to see so many pink face and burned bodies on the beach and walking the streets. Despite the warnings, the slip slop slap campaigns and piles of information out there, not everyone is taking heed.
Wearing a sunscreen or sun block of at least SPF 30+ everyday is recommended year-round. This is because it doesn’t necessarily have to be sunny for you to get sunburned, especially not in New Zealand where the sun is always very strong.
If you don’t like to use a full sunscreen or sun block, there are other products out there like moisturisers that contain an SPF 30+ and for the females who don’t like putting sunscreen or sun block on their faces there are mineral foundations that contain SPF 30+.
Sunblock is also not a perfect solution, avoiding the sun, especially at peak times of the day, and seeking shade whenever you can is a good idea. A hat, with a wide brim, and lovely big sunglasses are also a must during the summer months. There are plenty of fashionable options out there – look at for UVB guarantees on these items too.
