Wearing sunscreen for your face is one of the essential steps to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Not wearing sunscreen on your face can lead to various health risks, some of which may be surprising.
Protecting your face from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays is necessary, and wearing sunscreen is an easy and effective way. However, many people still need to pay more attention to this critical skincare step and don’t wear sunscreen for the face daily.
The health risks of not doing so are often overlooked but are incredibly serious. In this blog post, we will discuss eight surprising health risks associated with not wearing sunscreen and why it is so important to wear sunscreen for face to protect yourself from the sun’s UV rays.
1) Skin Cancer
UV radiation is the leading cause of skin cancer, and not protecting your face from the sun can lead to serious health risks. The three most common types of skin cancer are melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma.
All three are potentially deadly if left untreated, so it’s essential to be proactive about sun protection and to get regular skin checkups. Wearing sunscreen on your face can help protect against these harmful UV rays and reduce your risk of skin cancer.
2) Melasma
Melasma is a common skin condition that causes dark, discolored patches on the face. It is often caused by exposure to UV rays from the sun or other sources, such as tanning beds.
The patches can vary in size and typically appear on the forehead, cheeks, upper lip, and chin. While it is not dangerous, it can be embarrassing and difficult to treat. Sunscreen and protective clothing are essential for preventing melasma.
You can also use moisturizers and creams with ingredients like hydroquinone and retinoid to help reduce the appearance of melasma. Always wear sunscreen when you go outside, and use a lip balm with SPF to protect your lips from the sun’s harmful rays. Taking these extra steps to protect your skin can help you avoid melasma or reduce the severity of your condition.
3) Premature Aging
Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can cause wrinkles and age spots to form on your face at an accelerated rate. The UV radiation from the sun breaks down collagen, a protein that helps keep skin looking supple and firm.
When your skin loses collagen, it becomes dry and thin, leading to wrinkles. Wearing sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 can help protect your skin against this damage and help slow the aging process.
You can help protect your skin from UV damage and premature aging by applying sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher daily, even if it’s cloudy outside. Remember, you can still get burned and experience skin damage even on cloudy days!
4) Eye Damage
UV rays from the sun can damage your eyes and increase the risk of eye diseases. Not wearing sunscreen on your face can cause photokeratitis, an inflammation of the cornea that can cause pain, redness, tearing, and blurred vision.
It can also lead to pterygium, a growth on the white of the eye that can affect vision. UV rays can also damage the macula, a part of the eye responsible for central vision. In extreme cases, not wearing sunscreen on your face can lead to cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
5) Dehydration
One of the most underrated effects of not wearing sunscreen on your face is dehydration. Sun exposure breaks down the fatty acids found in our skin, resulting in increased water loss.
This can lead to dry, dehydrated skin prone to wrinkles and dullness. In addition, unprotected sun exposure causes water molecules to evaporate from the surface of your skin, leaving it vulnerable to further damage.
Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is also essential, as this helps your body replenish lost fluids. If you feel thirsty or dry, opt for a refreshing smoothie or cold glass of coconut water for added hydration benefits.
6) Inflammation
UV rays from the sun can cause inflammation of the skin. This can appear as redness, swelling, tightness, itching, and burning. It can also lead to acne, psoriasis, and eczema conditions.
These are all common skin issues caused by not protecting your face from the sun. Sunscreen is an effective way to protect your skin from inflammation and other harmful effects of the sun.
Wearing sunscreen daily can help to reduce your risk of developing these types of skin conditions. Not wearing sunscreen can leave you vulnerable to painful skin conditions and cause your skin to age prematurely. Take the time to put sunscreen on your face daily to protect against UV rays and keep your skin looking and feeling healthy.
7) Rosacea
Rosacea is a common skin condition that causes redness and inflammation in the face. It can occur at any age but is most common in middle-aged adults.
Rosacea symptoms include redness, small bumps, burning sensations, dryness, and swollen blood vessels. Not wearing sunscreen on your face can worsen rosacea symptoms, as UV rays can irritate the skin.
Certain foods, drinks, and even stress can also trigger rosacea flare-ups. If you have rosacea, it’s essential to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin from further irritation.
8) Actinic Keratosis
Actinic keratosis is a prevalent skin condition caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. It is characterized by the formation of scaly patches on the skin, typically on areas such as the face, ears, arms, and hands that have had the most sun exposure.
These scaly patches are often small and rough and appear yellow, pink, or brown. It is important to note that actinic keratosis is not cancerous but can progress into skin cancer if left untreated.
The most common symptom of actinic keratosis is dry and itchy skin. Other symptoms may include pain, burning, or stinging sensation in the affected area. Depending on the severity of the condition, there may be an increased risk for squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer.
Conclusion
From increased risk of skin cancer to dehydration and premature aging, the long-term effects of exposing your face to UV rays without protection can be damaging. Always wear sunscreen outside to prevent these negative health consequences, especially on your face. With the proper protection, you can minimize your risk and keep your skin looking its best for years to come.
Disclaimer: This article is NOT medical advice and shouldn’t be taken as such. When in doubt always seek professional help.
Featured photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash.
