Is it just me or is this summer the worst we've had so far?
The sun's rays are excruciating and I can't stand being outside for more than a few minutes in fear that I'll get burnt to a crisp.
We've seen enough painful sunburn fails to know that we're not tougher than the sun.
UV damage can cause many health and skin problems, such as melanoma. The sun's rays will also age your skin faster.
Knowing this, you'll want to slather a tube of sunscreen on your body, but before you do, hear me out.
The question you must ask yourself is this: how much is enough? And are you applying sunscreen on all the right places?
"Tanning is a sign of sun damage"
According to consultant dermatologist Dr. Justine Kluk, most people aren't taking care of their skin in the summer the way they should be.
She told The Sun that tanning is a sign that the skin is protecting itself, which isn't actually a good thing.
"A tan actually shows that the skin has gone into overdrive to produce its natural hormone that helps shield it from the sun - melanin - which means that a tan is actually a sign of sun damage."
The "Danger Area"
Kluk said there is a common "danger area" that often gets missed when people apply sunscreen.
"A common area that we often miss when we're applying our SPF is our feet, especially if we have the tendency to tan naturally."
"You're way more susceptible to skin cancer," she continued. "And, in fact, the sun is strong that if your skin burns during childhood, you could be double as likely to develop melanoma as an adult."
How To Protect Yourself
No matter what, wear sunscreen before you leave the house this summer.
That being said, it's best if you apply physical sunscreen rather than chemical sunscreen.
Physical sunscreen is made from ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which create a protective barrier over your skin and tend to last longer in direct sunlight.
Chemical sunscreen spreads easily over your skin, but there are a lot of harmful ingredients that can cause health problems in the long run.
That's just something to keep in mind when you buy sunscreen.
Experts also say that sunscreens with an SPF higher than 50 isn't worth the bang for your buck.
Buy your regular sunscreen, but apply it more often.
Here's What You Should Do When You Get Burned
There are dozens of sunburn remedies out there, but one in particular is getting a lot of attention this summer.
Recently, a clever home remedy for sunburns has gone viral, and even doctors approve!
Cindie Allen-Stewart from Texas says she can cure a sunburn with foamy menthol shaving cream.
"You don't want to just put it straight on your back because it's really cold. You want someone to put it on their hand and rub it on," she wrote.
Cindie said it only takes a few hours until the burn heals, and you'll never peel again.
Share this article with your friends! Let's all have a safe, enjoyable summer!
[H/T: Daily Mirror / The Sun]
