Sunshine has a way of brightening up the atmosphere and make moods cheery and bright, but too much sun can have a damaging impact on the skin. In the U.S., skin cancer is the most common type of cancer that affects Americans. While the sun has its benefits, like providing vitamin D, overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet(UV) rays is the most significant cause of concern when it comes to the sun’s negative impact on the skin. Sunblock can help to protect the skin from the sun and here are some of the reasons you should wear sunscreen.

1. Diminish Risk of Developing Cancer

Whether on a sunny, rainy, or cloudy day, using sunblock with a very high SPF every day can lower the chance of developing skin cancer. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, and while accounting for only roughly 1% of skin cancers, it results in a vast majority of skin cancer deaths. Sun exposure of any kind, be it intermittent exposure, intense exposure, or chronic lifetime exposure is a crucial risk factor for skin cancer. Both the young and old can develop melanoma, but as people age, melanoma risk increases.

2. Keep You Looking Youthful

Ultraviolet exposure is the primary cause of premature aging. You can slow down the development of wrinkles and causes the skin to lose its elasticity. Based on a 2013 study published in Annals of Internal Medicine, regular use of sunblock with SPF 15 or higher, can prevent photoaging that features visible signs of aging caused by ultraviolet light on the skin, such as fine lines, wrinkles and skin coarseness if used daily. High-quality sunscreen use can have a real impact on the skin’s rate of aging by slowing it down.

3. Maintain Even Skin Tone

When it comes to skin discoloration, sunblock helps to keep facial brown spots and skin at bay. Daily use of a Broad Spectrum SPF 30 sunblock or moisturizer or higher can prevent new hyperpigmentation. Sunspots commonly develop when the skin is left unprotected from sun exposure. Sunblock application is a preventative measure that should be a part of your skin care routine, protecting it from the sun’s UV rays.

4. Depleting Ozone Layer

The ozone layer absorbs the sun’s harmful UV rays and prevents them from causing damage on the Earth’s surface. It essentially acts as a shield, but today, the ozone layer is depleted. This depletion means that your skin needs a coat of added protection from the sun’s harmful rays.
Keep in mind that the ultraviolet light can affect the skin immune system, and research has shown that sun exposure may increase the risk of infection or diminish the body’s defenses against skin cancer.

The best defense against the sun’s UV rays is limited exposure and giving your skin a layer of protection with high SPF sunscreen. Skin damage can be limited to sunscreen and prevent the development of wrinkles, discoloration, fine lines, and skin thickness. Take precaution against the UV rays and limit your risk of developing skin cancer.