You don't need to wear sunscreen if you have a base tan or dark skin.
1 of 5
Although it is true that darker or tanned skin is less likely to burn than pale skin, the use of sunscreen and other forms of sun protection is still mandatory. Having an artificial tan or the extra melanin in your skin which comes with a darker complexion will not protect you from all the adverse effects of sun damage such as premature skin ageing and melanomas.
Which of the following skin problems can be prevented by the regular use of sunscreen?
2 of 5
The regular use of sunscreen can prevent premature and accelerated skin ageing, signs of which include the formation of wrinkles and fine lines such as crow's feet. The UV rays of the sun dry out the skin and break down the collagen in it, leading to the appearance of wrinkle lines. Be sure to apply adequate sunscreen everyday in order to protect your skin from the early signs of ageing.
You should wear sunscreen when it is cold and/or stormy outside.
3 of 5
It is a common myth that sunscreen is only needed to be applied when you are out basking in the sun. The UV rays of the sun are capable of penetrating through rain clouds and winter haze to wreak havoc on your skin even on days when it isn't bright and sunny outside. The thumb rule is that if you are going to spend any part of the day outdoors, you should definitely apply sunscreen.
How often should you be reapplying sunscreen when you are outdoors?
4 of 5
The sunscreen you apply before leaving home will ultimately wear off in a few hours time due to sweat and humidity. If you are going to stay out, you need to carry your bottle of sunscreen with you and reapply it every 3 hours to ensure that it is doing its job as effectively as it should be. If it is an exceptionally humid day or if you are exposed to the sun for prolonged periods of time, you must reapply sunscreen at 2-hour intervals.
Using too much sunscreen will prevent your skin from making vitamin D from the sun.
5 of 5
This is another myth that has been proven wrong by studies. The sunscreen that you wear will not create a barrier for Vitamin D to be synthesized in your body, especially if you have fair or pale skin that calls for extra protection. The human body is quite capable of getting enough vitamin D from incidental sun exposure, as well as from diet and supplements. The regular use of sunscreen shall certainly not lead to a deficiency of vitamin D in your system.