Want Healthy Skin? Avoid Sun Damage

Want great-looking skin? Then stay out of the sun and away from tanning beds. Sun damage can age your skin before its time -- and carries serious health risks as well.

Sure, most teens think that a bronzed body is healthy. But don't let advertisers fool you! Tanned skin is damaged skin. After years of tanning, you are at higher risk of cellular damage, early wrinkling, age spots, and skin cancer -- including melanoma, the most serious type.

No matter what your skin color or type, it is vital to understand the dangers of sun damage. New findings link a rise in skin damage and skin cancer in younger adults to frequent sunbathing and use of tanning beds.

Why Is a Sunburn Dangerous?

Sunburn is painful and unattractive, with the parched, reddened skin and oozing blisters. There is no easy treatment, other than keeping the skin moist and avoiding more sun.

More than that, sunburned skin is sun-damaged skin, and this damage accumulates over time. Experts estimate that more than 90% of skin cancers are the result of overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and tanning beds.

How Do I Prevent Sunburn?

Sunscreen prevents sunburn by protecting your skin against the sun's UV rays. Ultraviolet radiation includes both UVA, which is thought to cause skin aging, and UVB, which is mostly responsible for sunburn and skin cancers.

Because the sun's rays are the strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., stay indoors during this time. If you do go outside, protect your skin with clothing and sunscreen.

What Is SPF?

The sun protection factor (SPF) in sunscreens is a measure of their ability to prevent burns from sun exposure. To avoid sunburn and sun damage, it's important to choose a sunscreen with the correct SPF.

Remember that while sunscreen gives protection against UVB rays, it does not ensure protection against UVA. Long-term exposure to UVA rays is thought to result in skin damage and skin cancer.

Which SPF Is Best for Me?

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher be used in most cases. But if you have fair skin or burn easily, boost your SPF to 30 or higher.

Apply the sunscreen on all exposed skin about 15 minutes to 30 minutes before going outside. Then reapply at least every two hours.

If you sweat or swim, apply again. Do not be misled by claims the sunscreen is "waterproof." Reapply anyway! You need to apply sunscreen every day, whether it's sunny, cloudy, or freezing cold outside. Girls who use foundation should apply sunscreen with the foundation.

What About Tanning Beds?

Studies show that more teens are using tanning beds than in previous years. But tanning beds cause sunburn, so be cautious. In fact, experts now link tanning bed use to sunburns, infections, eye damage, and increased incidence of skin cancer in younger adults.