Brown Skin Care for Summertime

Brown skin women often are surprised when they get burned by the sun. Although brown skin does have a natural SPF of 13, allowing us to stay in the sun longer than women with white skin. However, we still need sunscreen to protect us from absorbing ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB).

Ultraviolet light is a type of electromagnetic radiation that makes black-light posters glow, and is responsible for summer tans — and sunburns. However, too much exposure to UV radiation is damaging to living tissue.
UVA & UVB contribute to the risk of skin cancer

Here’s what you need to know and do to protect that beautiful skin of yours.

Use sunscreen! Sunscreens blocks/ absorbs the UVA &UVB rays before they affect/damage your skin.
The SPF rating is a measure of the time it would take you to sunburn if you were not wearing sunscreen as opposed to the time it would take with sunscreen on.
SPF 15 product blocks about 94% of UVB rays; an SPF 30 product blocks 97% of UVB rays; and an SPF 45 product blocks about 98% of rays.
Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before you go out into the sun. This will allow your skin to absorb the product and create a protective shield.
Apply sunscreen to your face, neck , hands, and scalp! Apply after swimming even if it’s “water-proof”.
Look for broad-spectrum products .
Check expiration dates. Toss after one year.

Broad–Spectrum Definition: Broad–spectrum sunscreen is a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. This is very important because some sunscreens only protect against UVB, the rays responsible for burning. UVA rays, however, are responsible for aging and most types of skin cancer.