Majority of people love the warm weather and this is because you get to go outdoors and enjoy the sun while at the beach. You might also consider getting your tan around this time and since you will end up with an amazing tan, it is important that you apply sunscreen. Sunscreen protects you from the harmful rays that are usually emitted by the sun, which go on to cause skin cancer. To understand the importance of using sunscreen on your skin, let us go into detail about skin cancer which is also called Melanoma.

What is skin cancer (Melanoma?)

Melanoma is considered as one of the most dangerous types of skin cancer and this is because it spreads rapidly making it the leading cause of death from skin diseases. The rate of people suffering from Melanoma is steadily increasing and this is because most of them expose their skin to the sun without the application of a sunscreen. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the cause for Melanoma and this is particularly evident in people with fair skin, red or blond hair and blue or green eyes. Melanoma used to be a skin disease affecting the old and elderly but these days, it is affecting healthy young people and this is because proper care is not taken when it comes to the skin. The following are risks associated with Melanoma. They include:

•    Tanning devices
•    Sunny climates with high altitudes
•    Exposure to high levels of strong sunlight
•    A couple blistering sunburns gotten from childhood

In the event that you apply to any of the above mentioned risks, ensure that you get yourself a sunscreen and this is so as to help counter the problem before it gets out of hand. The UV rays are usually divided into three categories. They are:

•    UVA
•    UVB
•    UVC

In explaining what they all mean, it is seen that UVA rays are usually present throughout the day, whether it is morning or evening. They are the leading cause of premature aging of the skin and also contribute to skin cancer especially when no amount of sunscreen is applied to the skin.

UVB rays are usually present and most intense from 10:00 am in - 4:00pm and they actually contribute to skin cancer development and severe sunburns.

With the UVB rays, you do not have to worry about this and this is because they are usually filtered by the ozone layer and do not actually reach the earth’s surface.

So When Should You Apply Sunscreen?

Sunscreen should be applied thirty minutes before you expose yourself to the sun. This is so as to have it absorbed by the skin by the time you step out since it is unlikely for it to wash off when you perspire. In the event that you are out swimming, remember to reapply the sunscreen soon after you are out of the water. If at all you are outdoors and some parts of your body are exposed to the sun, consider reapplying after every thirty minutes for best results.

How to Apply and What to Look for In a Sunscreen

You should consider applying generously in all uncovered areas of the body so as to be on the safe side. A handful of sunscreen lotion should be used on the entire body and this is so as to make sure that enough of it has been applied and in a thorough way. You should also consider shaking the container well and this is so as to mix all the particles together and an SPF of above 15 should apply because it has the required sun protection factors.