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This Is The Most Important Place To Use Sunscreen And You’re Probably Missing It
Who needs to wear sunscreen? Everyone. When do you need sunscreen? Every day, unless you probably live in a cave. Mona Gohara, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University, told Women’s Health, “Many people assume you only need to wear sunscreen on sunny summer days, though it really should be applied year-round.” That is because the sun’s UV rays are still present on cloudy days, and wearing sunscreen can protect you from premature aging, burning, and skin cancer. Most people only wear sunscreen when they go outdoors, but it’s also essential to wear it when you don’t leave your house.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD), you should look for a sunscreen that provides broad-spectrum protection, has an SPF of 30 or higher, and is water-resistant. Broad-spectrum protection protects you from both UVA (causes aging) and UVB (causes burning) rays. Also, make sure to apply it 15 minutes before you go outside and reapply every two hours if you are outdoors longer. While most people are pretty diligent about applying sunscreen on their face, they often forget other exposed areas of the body like your neck, chest, and ears, which also need sun protection because those areas are also prone to premature aging, burning, and skin cancer.