Did you know? In a single hour, the amount of power from the sun that strikes the Earth is more than what the entire world consumes in a year. Just imagine how much damage it can do to your skin if you leave it unprotected!
Should a man wear sunscreen every day? Yes, sunscreens are designed to absorb ultraviolet radiation before it penetrates and damages your cells. It is absolutely necessary for everyone, including men, to put on sunscreen every day for optimal protection.
While getting a controlled tan is nice, the amount of radiation we receive every day while outside does more harm than good. It was long believed that skin care products were only for women. Thankfully, that ideology has now started to change for the better. Read on to find out why sunscreen doesn’t have a gender type.
The Mighty Sun
Think of the sun as a remarkably huge bomb that goes off every second releasing a stupendous amount of energy. That energy mostly consists of light, heat, and radiation.
If the earth were to get hit by that energy without its protective electromagnetic field, it would cause all life on earth to end and the planet would soon turn into something like what Mars is today.
A proportion of this unfathomable energy does, however, get through in the form of light and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The ultraviolet light is what causes the real damage to your cells.
UV light damages cells by affecting cell DNA. This, in turn, causes your cells to function improperly and if the damage is extensive enough, it may also lead to more serious conditions, and even cancer.
Ultraviolet Types
There are two types of UV rays that affect your skin: UVA and UVB. UVB light is a short-wave light that affects the surface of your skin while the more dangerous long-wave UVA light penetrates deep into your skin and affects more cells that UVB light.
Both UV types affect the skin by damaging cell DNA and cause a painful tan if left unchecked. Tanning is the body’s response to overexposure to UV. The skin develops more melanin in order to reflect or absorb the excess UV, but the skin can only do so much to protect itself which is why sunscreens are so important.
The more you make your skin work for itself, the more it will depreciate and get worn out. You would also likely get a nasty tan that would take weeks to get rid of. Excess UV radiation causes your skin cells to break down. While it may be possible that the cell DNA repairs itself, the more likely scenario is that the DNA gets irrevocably damaged. This leads to premature aging (photoaging), wrinkles, and even a decline in your immune system.
Sunscreen in Society
If you look at modern history, you will notice that women have advocated sunscreen more than men. This is because of the age-old notion that men don’t need sunscreen. The reality is, obviously, far from this.
Men have periodically taken up positions that involve work outside of their homes. Take farmers for example. Ever heard of the “farmers tan”? Well, that tanning is actually extensive skin damage caused by staying out and working under the sun.
The notion of applying sunscreen while only going out in the sun is also incorrect. UV light can easily penetrate the upper atmosphere and clouds. You would be protected from the heat, because of the clouds, but not from the UV. Think of sunscreen as your armor and the day-time as the battlefield. You wouldn’t want to go into the battlefield without your armor, would you? The thing about UV is that it can’t be seen with the naked eye. If we could see it, we would probably be blinded by it since it would be everywhere.
Most men don’t understand the consequences of UV light. Some might even not apply it because it goes against their understanding of masculinity as well. That type of thinking might as well be the leading cause of the increase in skin cancers and other skin conditions.
Sunscreen to the Rescue
This nature of UV makes it an even more formidable threat. How do you protect yourself from something that you can’t see? This is where sunscreens come in.
Men should apply a sunscreen of at least SPF 40 or above. SPF is the Sun Protection Factor that most creams have labeled on them. It denotes how much UVA and UVB radiation the cream blocks. In general, broad spectrum SPF 15 blocks about 95% of all UV rays while SPF 50 blocks about 98%. Anything above SPF 50 would only provide a negligible amount of added protection since no sunscreen can protect you completely from UV.
The best practice for men should be to apply sunscreen every day in the morning after showering or 30 minutes before going outside so that the formula gets enough time to completely penetrate the skin. We recommend that you try out TIZO 3 TINTED SPF 40 Sunscreen (Amazon) and keep the sunscreen with you at all times during daylight. Most creams allegedly offer a protection time that lasts up to 5 hours, but the best practice should be to reapply sunscreen every 2 to 3 hours since the formula breaks down as it absorbs UV light.
The best way to make sunscreen a part of your daily routine is by introducing it to your daily beauty routine. Men should fit sunscreen into their daily morning ritual. You can apply sunscreen right after you shower and shave. Try to then get ready and have breakfast at home to give the cream enough time to bind with your skin.
Parents should also take note and make sure that their children are protected with sunscreen. Young kids, in particular, need to be protected since they might spend more time outside playing. The early on you protect the skin, the longer it will stay healthy.
If you don’t protect your skin with sunscreen every day, there is a very good chance that you might develop several skin conditions like imperfections, dark spots, loosening of the skin, etc. It is also suggested that the overall depreciation of the skin at the hands of UV radiation can also exacerbate other cosmetic conditions like dark circles, due to the overall decline of your skin health.
Most sunscreens are now multi-purpose too. You can get one that protects you from UV and keeps your skin hydrated. If you are looking for the all-in-one package to protect your skin, then go for a cream that provides you with the best value. Try out the Sunscreen by EltaMD (Click to view on Amazon) for the best value and ultimate protection.
Whichever product you choose, it is more important to use it frequently. Men should advocate wearing sunscreen every day. The sun affects all genders equally based on how much exposure they receive. So, the next time you think that it wouldn’t be masculine to put on face-cream, just think of the consequences if you don’t protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays. It is important that you remember to never compromise on your health since it will help you avoid any serious condition in the future.
Related Questions
Which SPF is best for me? Broad spectrum SPF 30 is widely known as the baseline protection from UV. You can get one with up to SPF 50. Anything above that would not help you more as no cream can guarantee 100% protection. Consult a dermatologist to determine the best type of cream for your skin type.
What if I stay home and don’t go out enough? Even if you stay at home, there is a chance that you might be exposed to UV via a window or just by going out into the balcony. You should always use sunscreen as you would use a moisturizer at home. Also, it is not recommended to stay indoors all the time as sunlight can also benefit you with vitamin D if you are protected.
What are UVA and UVB? These are Ultraviolet ray types. Long-wave UV rays are termed as UVA and short-wave UV rays are known as UVB. Both affect the skin by damaging it with the difference that UVB affects the superficial layers of your skin while UVA penetrates deep into the skin and is considered to be more dangerous.
What areas are the most vulnerable under the sun? The effects of UV damage, such as premature aging, loose skin, and dark spots are more prominently seen on the face than any other part of the body since the face is the most exposed area. Other parts of the body are normally covered with clothing. Apply sunscreen generously according to the clothes you wear.
