{"id":29872,"date":"2025-06-18T16:15:14","date_gmt":"2025-06-18T16:15:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ldblifestylebenefits.com\/?p=29872"},"modified":"2025-06-18T16:15:14","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T16:15:14","slug":"shield-your-skin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ldblifestylebenefits.com\/index.php\/2025\/06\/18\/shield-your-skin\/","title":{"rendered":"Shield Your Skin"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p class=\"postIntro\">Most people know that being in the sun without the proper protection can be harmful to the body\u2019s biggest organ, the skin.<\/p>\n<p>Exposure to the sun\u2019s ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause sunburn, premature aging, and increased risk of developing skin cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, there were an estimated <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/consumers\/consumer-updates\/tips-stay-safe-sun-sunscreen-sunglasses\">100,640 new cases<\/a> of skin melanomas and 8,290 related deaths in 2024.<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<strong>SPF 101: Sunscreen Basics<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Sunburn happens when the sun\u2019s invisible UV rays damage the skin. Using sunscreen with the right amount of SPF (Sun Protection Factor) can help protect you from the sun. Everyone, regardless of age, should use SPF 30 or higher; however, the ingredients in the sunscreen are just as important in determining its effectiveness. According to Northwestern Medicine, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nm.org\/healthbeat\/healthy-tips\/quick-dose-how-much-spf-do-you-really-need#:~:text=Everyone%2C%20regardless%20of%20age%2C%20gender,SPF%20numbers%20can%20be%20misleading.\">SPF 30 blocks 97%<\/a> of sun rays while SPF 50 blocks 98%; meaning, the higher the SPF, the smaller the difference.<\/p>\n<p>When choosing between a broad-spectrum sunscreen as opposed to regular SPF sunscreen, it is recommended to choose broad-spectrum products. Northwestern Medicine said that broad-spectrum sunscreens protect the skin from both <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nm.org\/healthbeat\/healthy-tips\/quick-dose-how-much-spf-do-you-really-need#:~:text=Everyone%2C%20regardless%20of%20age%2C%20gender,SPF%20numbers%20can%20be%20misleading.\">UVB (burning rays) and UVA (aging rays)<\/a>, while SPF sunscreen only protects against UVB. Consumers are also encouraged to stay away from sunscreen products that contain <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nm.org\/healthbeat\/healthy-tips\/quick-dose-how-much-spf-do-you-really-need#:~:text=Everyone%2C%20regardless%20of%20age%2C%20gender,SPF%20numbers%20can%20be%20misleading.\">oxybenzone and retinyl palmitate<\/a>, as these ingredients can be harmful to hormone health and increase chances of developing skin cancer.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;30002&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_cta h2=&#8221;&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;]According to a 2023 survey commissioned by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), only <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ewg.org\/news-insights\/news\/2024\/06\/wear-sunscreen-few-americans-try-prevent-skin-damage-sun#:~:text=Only%2017%20percent%20of%20people,42%20percent%20at%20least%20monthly.&amp;text=The%20vast%20majority%20of%20Americans,against%20UVA%20and%20UVB%20rays.\">17%<\/a> of people said they use sunscreen daily, 31% said at least weekly, and 42% said at least monthly.[\/vc_cta][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<strong>Safe Practices to Avoid Skin Damage<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>There are several things you can do to ensure you are keeping your skin protected from the sun. Whether it\u2019s your wardrobe or knowing when to stay inside, here are some tips to stay safe.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Wear long-sleeved, lightweight pants and shirts, wide brimmed hats, and sunglasses.<\/li>\n<li>Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before sun exposure.<\/li>\n<li>Reapply sunscreen every two hours, especially when swimming or sweating.<\/li>\n<li>Check expiration dates on sunscreen bottles; most expire after three years.<\/li>\n<li>Avoid sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.<\/li>\n<li>Seek shade whenever possible.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>According to CaroMont Health, even on gloomy days and during the winter, <a href=\"https:\/\/caromonthealth.org\/news\/don-t-skip-the-sunscreen-why-uv-protection-matters-in-winter\/#:~:text=Winter's%20overcast%20skies%20can%20give,even%20on%20the%20gloomiest%20days.&amp;text=Applying%20sunscreen%20daily%20is%20a,shield%20your%20skin%20from%20damage.\">80%<\/a> of the sun\u2019s UV rays can get through the clouds and penetrate the skin. Don\u2019t be fooled by the weather \u2014\u00a0the sun is a powerful force of Mother Nature any time of year.<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=&#8221;29981&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1748900216637{margin-top: 40px !important;margin-bottom: 40px !important;}&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<strong>Sun Poisoning: Severe Sunburns <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Sun poisoning is a term used to describe a severe sunburn. Symptoms of sun poisoning are the same as a typical sunburn, but they\u2019re much more serious. According to the National Cancer Institute, over <a href=\"https:\/\/progressreport.cancer.gov\/prevention\/sun\/sunburn\">33,000<\/a> sunburns are reported that require emergency room visits annually.<\/p>\n<p>Symptoms of Sun Poisoning:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Dehydration<\/li>\n<li>Skin Infection<\/li>\n<li>Headache, nausea, vomiting<\/li>\n<li>Fever or chills<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you are experiencing symptoms of sun poisoning:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Get out of the sun to prevent further sun exposure.<\/li>\n<li>Take a cool shower and apply cool compresses to the affected areas to cool down the body.<\/li>\n<li>Stay hydrated by drinking water and electrolyte drinks. Avoid alcohol and caffeine as they dehydrate the body.<\/li>\n<li>Apply aloe vera or soothing lotions to help calm and hydrate the skin.<\/li>\n<li>Take over-the-counter pain relievers to help with pain and inflammation.<\/li>\n<li>Protect blisters with a clean, loose bandage, and do not pop them.<\/li>\n<li>Seek medical attention if you develop a high fever, severe pain, confusion, or show signs of dehydration.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_cta h2=&#8221;&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;]According to the American Academy of Dermatology, a recent survey of more than 1,000 U.S. adults found that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aad.org\/news\/new-aad-survey-reveals-growing-importance-sun-protection#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20survey%2C%2062,a%20person%20from%20UV%20rays.\">67%<\/a> incorrectly believe that SPF 30 sunscreen offers twice as much protection as SPF 15 sunscreen.<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_cta][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<strong>Be Sun Smart!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Adopting sun-safe habits to protect your skin can help you stay healthy during the heat of the summer and the cold of winter. The hottest months of the year pose the biggest threat to our skin, and it\u2019s important to know how to combat the sun\u2019s powerful rays to avoid damage.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;] Most people know that being in the sun without the proper protection can be harmful to the body\u2019s biggest organ, the skin. Exposure to the sun\u2019s ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause sunburn, premature aging, and increased risk of developing skin cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, there were an estimated 100,640 new [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":29844,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[497,20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-29872","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2025-july","category-lifestyle-and-wellness"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ldblifestylebenefits.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29872","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ldblifestylebenefits.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ldblifestylebenefits.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ldblifestylebenefits.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ldblifestylebenefits.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29872"}],"version-history":[{"count":55,"href":"https:\/\/ldblifestylebenefits.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29872\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30037,"href":"https:\/\/ldblifestylebenefits.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29872\/revisions\/30037"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ldblifestylebenefits.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29844"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ldblifestylebenefits.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29872"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ldblifestylebenefits.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29872"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ldblifestylebenefits.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29872"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}