Protection Is prevention
Wearing sunscreen every day is one of the most important steps you can
take to protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun. However, not all
sunscreens protect equally.
You’ll want to choose a sunscreen that offers a high sun protection factor
(SPF). But SPF only measures protection against UVB rays. In addition to a
high-SPF sunscreen, you’ll need one that protects against UVA rays. Typically,
sunscreens labeled “broad spectrum” do this.
Unfortunately, many sunscreens on the market today may not shield against
a lot of UVA radiation. And, ironically, many sunscreens can start to lose their
ability to deflect the sun’s rays the moment they are exposed to the sun.
Patented Helioplex™ technology is a new approach to sunscreen.
Helioplex not only shields skin from the UVA rays that penetrate deep into
the skin, but also maintains this protection, even under high-intensity sun
exposure. Helioplex stabilizing technology provides superior UVA protection
that lasts. Sunscreens with Helioplex provide balanced broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
Too much sun means aging skin
The immediate signs of sun damage are not always obvious; however,
sun damage is cumulative and can worsen over time. This means the signs
of sun damage will likely develop as you grow older.
Moderate sun damage
• Fine wrinkling: Shallow indentations or lines, typically
on the forehead and around the eyes and mouth
• Roughness: A change in skin texture from soft and
supple to rough
• Mottled hyperpigmentation: Light, patchy discoloration,
including brown spots
More severe sun damage
• Coarse wrinkling: Deep lines, furrows and creases
on the forehead, chin and around the nose and eyes
• Yellowing: A change in skin tone from rosy to
sallow or pale
• Laxity: Loose, thin skin that can result in a sunken
appearance
Sun-smart
facts
• More than 90 percent of skin cancers
are caused by sun exposure, yet
adults, teens and children routinely
expose unprotected skin to the sun
during the middle of the day, when the
sun’s rays are most harmful.
Your sun-smart checklist
• Avoid the sun whenever possible. Wear protective clothing, including
a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, a long-sleeved shirt and pants during
prolonged periods of sun exposure.
• Use SPF 15 or higher sunscreen every day.
• Make sure your sunscreen offers both UVA and UVB protection.
• A full ounce (about the size of a golf ball) is required in order to adequately
cover the entire body of an average person. Reapply every two hours,
especially after swimming, towel-drying or perspiring.
• If your skin is sensitive, use sunblocks containing titanium dioxide or
zinc oxide.
• Lips get sunburned too, so don’t forget to apply a lip balm with an SPF
of 15 or higher.
• SPF (sun protection factor) is a measurement of how long you can stay in
the sun without sunscreen before
getting burned. With SPF 15, it takes
15 times longer for a burn to begin.
Remember, sunscreens should not be
used to increase the time you spend
in intense sunlight.
• Even on a cloudy day, 80 percent of
the sun’s UV rays pass through the
clouds. Don’t reserve the use of sunscreen for sunny summer days only.
