Sure, most South Africans love the outdoors, and this time of the year is all about sunshine, blue skies and impossibly tiny shorts. C’mon, it’s part of our culture!
The sun feels good – all warm and happy and Insta-filter-y. And yes, it can do a lot of good; the sun regulates sleep cycles, stimulates the body’s production of Vitamin D, and enhances feelings of well-being … not even mentioning that a tanned body always looks slimmer! But, it has a dark side.
South Africa sadly has the 2nd highest incidence of skin cancer in the world, after Australia. Unfortunately, even a single sunburn increases your risk of developing melanoma. Also, over-exposure can lead to wrinkles and age spots. Studies show that a woman at age 40, who protects her skin from the sun, could have the skin of a 30 year old.
Applying sunscreen is the second easiest way to protect your skin from sun damage (staying out of the sun is first, but hey, you have to live your life, right?!)
Wearing sunscreen is skincare 101, but we’re about to ditch the dirt. Here are a few interesting facts you probably didn’t know about sunscreen:
Sunscreen is super important but it’s not the only thing you can do to protect yourself against the harsh African sun:
It’s hot out there, so be sun-smarter!
Source: cansa.org.za, my360.co.za, showme.co.za, shape.com, allure.com, healthywomen.org, themidnightstation.wordpress.com, anitabhagwandas.com, moneycrashers.com, prevention.com, empowher.com,webmd.com, health.howstuffworks.com, mom.com, discovery.co.za, cosmopolitan.com, mentalfloss.com
DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.