The number one thing you can do to improve and pamper your skin is to protect yourself from that big ball of fire in the sky.
 

Little was once known of the effects of the sun on the skin, but science has proved it is a major contributor to premature skin aging, skin cancer, and a host of skin changes. It is very important to protect our skin from the sun's harmful rays. Too much of it will damage your skin and we all know it's impossible to avoid the sun. 

# Look fabulous in a sassy hat and sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection.

# Sunny or cloudy, wear a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Even if you don't plan on spending a lot of time outdoors. The bottle might say the sunscreen is waterproof, but if you are sweating or go swimming, you need to reapply every 2 to 3 hours.

# In addition to the SPF of 15, or greater, choose a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Look for the words "broad spectrum protection" or UVA protection . Sunscreen that say "nonacnegenic" or "noncomedogenic" on the label, helps to keep pores clear.

 

# Avoid tanning beds. Although manufacturers claim that tanning beds are free of UVB rays, they still use harmful UVA rays. If you want the glow of a tan, try faking it with self-tanners or salon tanning treatments.

# The sun's rays are strongest between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM, so you should plan indoor breaks accordingly. Make sure you reapply sunscreen frequently during these hours, especially if you cannot hide from the sun. When your shadow is longer than you are tall, then it's a safer time to be in the sun (you should still wear sunscreen, though).

# Use a sunscreen with a higher SPF when you're around reflective surfaces like water, snow, or ice.

 

# Some prescription acne medications or birth control pills can increase your sensitivity to the sun. If you are taking medication, increase your sun protection.
 

 

Family Genetics: Researchers have identified a gene variant that increases the risk of malignant melanoma and it seems very likely that several genes will be responsible for melanoma oncogenesis, and all of them probably haven't been identified yet.

Skin Type: People with pale skin who sunburn easily and don't tan are more likely to get sun-related skin cancer. As for exposure, the dose and its timing are crucial. Several studies have suggested that suddenly getting a lot of sun is more dangerous then steady exposure over time.

Early Exposure: There's also evidence that exposure when you're young? perhaps before your 20th birthday? matters most. Adolescence is the most dangerous time to get a sunburn. Recent sun exposure doesn't seem to be associated with basal cell carcinoma, the mildest form of skin cancer.

Exposure to sunlight does help our bodies create vitamin D. Ultraviolet rays from sunlight trigger vitamin D synthesis in the skin, creating vitamin D. A deficiency in this important vitamin can cause serious health problems.

Healthy adults require 400 IU daily of vitamin D, and those with certain medical problems or who are over seventy years old require 600 to 800 IU per day. Ten to fifteen minutes of sun exposure at least two times per week to the face, arms, hands, or back without sunscreen is usually sufficient to provide adequate vitamin D.

 

Being in the sunlight for 10 -15 minutes allows adequate time for Vitamin D synthesis and should be followed by application of a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 to protect the skin.