- By Times’ Junior Journalist Pia Grover
You may have heard the saying ‘SPF is your BFF’, but have you really understood what that means?
Sunscreen, or SPF as some like to call it, is a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) and is considered the best possible thing you could apply on your skin mainly because it shields skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun.
These UV rays are harmful as they can cause sunburn, premature aging and can increase the risk of skin cancer.
If you think about it, every time you go out and think to yourself, ‘oops I forgot to apply sunscreen today – oh well, I’ll just remember next time’, your skin suffers and is at risk of developing wrinkles, spots and blemishes.
Some short-term effects of not applying sunscreen involve burns that may lead to blisters that could potentially result into scars.
Long-term effects of not applying sunscreen include sunburn.
Even though sunburns go away, it leaves the skin more prone to skin cancer.
When you apply sunscreen, you need to make sure you apply it thoroughly as a little blot just won’t be enough.
Some sunscreens are sticky and thick whereas some are pretty fluid and don’t leave a white cast. Try a handful and see what works best for you.
Happy skin, happy life!
- Pia Grover is in year 8
