Bikinis, Barbecues, & Sunshine are a staple in our summer routine. Yet, sometimes the importance of sun protection can get washed away in the waves. So, why should you care? The National Skin Cancer Foundation estimates that the sun causes 90% of non-melanoma skin cancers; YIKES! Just because you lather some sunscreen on the hot blonde next to you does not mean you’re doing enough to protect your skin. Below are 5 common sun-protection mistakes.
(1) You’re not putting enough on
A little dabble here and there is not good enough to have you completely covered. Don’t be afraid to slather on a good handful on. If that means recruiting a special someone to help you out, go for it.
(2) You skip sunscreen on a cloudy day
Just because the forecast shows “cloudy with a slight chance of sunshine” does not mean you should send your sunscreen packing. A cloudy barbecue could lead to just as much sun exposure as usual.
(3) You’ve only applied once
If you plan on spending the whole day poolside, you better be ready to reapply. Although applying every 90 minutes is ideal, it might not be the easiest to remember between volleyball sets and vodka shots. Try aiming on at applying at least 2-3 times that day to avoid severe sun damage.
(4) You’re not using the right stuff
If you’re still using the 7 SPF sunscreen you took from your sister’s bag 5 years ago, that’s not going to cover it. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 or higher. Play it safe and stick to 30 or 50 SPF.
(5) You think your t-shirt has you covered
Think your favorite sports team t-shirt has you covered? Think again. A study found that most t-shirts have less than an SPF of 15. Just because your lucky shirt helped your team win last night’s game does not mean it will protect you again the harmful sun-rays. Yes, you can definitely use this as an excuse to take off your shirt and lather on the sunscreen.
You May Also Like...
Healthy Changes to Make in Your 30’s (& anytime!)
Aging seems to be one of the biggest fears for so many of us. We definitely live in a world where…
Top Healthy Foods to Eat When Pregnant
There’s always been a conversation about what foods you’re supposed to avoid during pregnancy,…
Don’t Fall for These BS Weight Loss Scams
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. We live in a world where from an early age…
Why Balancing Your Blood Sugar Can Improve Your Health
It’s true! Balancing your blood sugar levels can significantly improve your health. It's because…
Will Eating Dietary Fats Make You Fat?
Just like carbs, fats get a bad rep often. With keto on the rise, lots of people are going for a…
Truth About Birth Control
You probably heard a lot of different takes on birth control. There are people who swear by it,…
How do you like your mushrooms? The psilocybin debate
There’s been more and more talk about mushrooms lately. The conversation about it being a potential…
10 Reasons Why Lifting Heavy Sh*t is Good for Women
I just want to get toned…. I don’t want to get bulky. The amount of times I heard that, at this…
Carb Cycling – Are You Up for a Challenge?
Carbs are good for you By now, you should know that we love our carbs over here. You need carbs for…
Nice summary of the issues – and an easy and important way to prevent cancer.
t-shirts have SPF?