SUNSCREEN WONDER!

Sunscreen is the “secret” of smooth and even toned skin. It also protects your skin from the sun’s damaging rays.

There is a common misconception that Africans don’t need to use sunscreen because darker skin doesn’t get burnt or affected by the sun because the melanin protects from UV radiation.

This is quite false!

Factually, as confirmed by experts, having a darker skin tone does give you some natural protection against the sun’s rays, but shielding your skin is still the smartest choice in the long-term because the sun’s damaging rays don’t discriminate based on melanin.

Sunscreen protects your skin from increased risk of sun damage from exposure to UV Rays. Using sunscreen also prevents skin discolouration and dark spots from sun damage, and it helps you maintain an even and smoother skin tone.

In fact, we need a lot of sunscreen on our skin, because of our hot climate here in Botswana. Always put on sunscreen, even if it is cold or it is not that hot. Exposure to the sun not only increases your risk of skin cancer but it also causes hyperpigmentation and dark patches on the skin. Have you noticed that some people seem to have uneven skin tone, dark patches or spots on their skin (that look like ‘dichubaba’) and wrinkles, even when they are younger?

It is mostly due to the negative impact of the sun on the skin. So, start lathering up on the sunscreen. Sunscreen also has a cosmetic benefit because it prevents premature aging that occurs when the sun is exposed to the sun and results in loss of elasticity caused by decreased collagen. This is due to photo-aging, the loss of collagen due to the sun’s UV rays, which can cause the skin to start sagging. Overall, routinely using sunscreen helps keep you looking fresh and rejuvenated while retaining the elasticity of your skin.

To get the most protection for your skin, apply a sunscreen before applying your moisturiser. If not, then opt to buy a moisturiser with an SPF of at least 30. SPF 50 is good for the strong African sun. When applying sunscreen or moisturiser with SPF, make sure that you also cover your whole face and ears, your neck, chest and even your arms and legs, if you will be wearing something that will expose these parts to the sun.