Generally, men in their 20s and 30s are active and engage in various outdoor pursuits. As a result, most males in this age bracket don’t give sunscreen much thought, either in terms of use or necessity.
For the protection of their skin, men need sunscreen. Because UVA, UVB, and IR radiation harm skin on both women and men equally, sunscreen is not just for women. While UVB rays primarily impact the skin’s outer layer and produce sunburns and tanning, UVA rays deeply penetrate the epidermis and induce collagen degradation.
According to studies, the majority of men—or we could say the majority of men—do not use sunscreen. Furthermore, men are far less likely than women to regularly wear sunscreen, with only 14% of men doing so. Men are consequently more susceptible to sunburn and UV damage, which can also hasten skin aging and pigmentation. Make sure to choose the best sun protection cream for men. Below are some helpful tips.
Why Do Men Need to Wear Sunscreen, Too?
Men’s skin may be slightly thicker, darker in color, and rougher than women’s skin, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be cared for. When outside in the sun, men should also apply suncare protection like SPF 50 lotion or gel based on their skin.
Regular use of sunscreen protects skin from harmful UVA, UVB, and IR radiations and lowers skin exposure to these radiations. As a result, males should also wear sunscreen to limit their exposure to the sun and shield their skin from its damaging rays.
When Should I Apply Sunscreen?
When the skin is exposed to the sun, harmful UV rays enter the skin. Therefore, using broad-spectrum sunscreen daily is advised. Daily application of sunscreen gel may not have immediate advantages, but it will pay off over time. In addition, the application of sunscreen after every two hours is beneficial in protecting skin from sunburns when out in the sun for an extended period, whether you are working or taking a sunbath.
Reasons why sun protection is essential for men
Few of the reasons why sun protection is essential for men are listed below:
1. Protecting against harmful UV rays
Our vulnerability to the damaging effects of the sun’s rays has increased due to the ongoing destruction of the ozone layer. As is common knowledge, the sun continuously emits UVA, UVB, and IR radiation.
Both in the winter and the summer, UVA rays have the same strength. The rays penetrate the skin more deeply and are responsible for skin aging and cancer. UVA radiation can harm the skin, and the damage is irreversible.
2. Enhances the skin’s health
The main skin proteins that sunscreen shields from damage are collagen, keratin, and elastin. Collagen and elastin are the building blocks of the skin. Skin is kept tight by elastin, while skin is firmed by collagen. Skin proteins are necessary to preserve the skin’s stiffness, health, and smoothness.
3. Prevents aging spots and dark facial patches
Sunscreens assist in preventing and lessening uneven skin tone, age spots, and the visibility of dark spots. Additionally, wearing sunscreen reduces the visibility of facial red veins and blotchiness.
Melanin, which gives skin its darker color and is also to blame for age spots, is produced by cells when the skin is exposed to UVA and UVB radiation. Consequently, one of the essential strategies is to protect the skin and lighten age spots brought on by sun exposure.
4. Prevention of skin cancer
The three main kinds of skin cancer from ultraviolet radiation are melanoma (malignant melanoma), squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma. Melanoma, the most severe type of cancer, begins in the melanocytes, the pigment cells, but non-melanoma cancers are often curable if treated early.
A broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher, and SPF ratings of 30 or 50, decreases the risk of skin cancer and early aging of the skin in addition to helping to prevent sunburns and suntans.
5. Sunscreen with antioxidants helps to prevent wrinkles and fine lines
According to studies, UVA rays harm collagen, the skin’s elastic fiber, by penetrating the skin deeply. The skin is kept firm by collagen, which, when damaged, causes wrinkles to appear. Because it prevents damage to the elastic fibers, routinely applying sunscreen that is antioxidant-rich aids in reversing the appearance of wrinkles and skin aging.
6. On an overcast day, use sunscreen.
Even on cloudy days, you should wear sunscreen. A study shows that clouds can block about 80% of UV rays. As a result, if you don’t wear sunscreen, you could burn even on an overcast day. In addition, the intensity of UV rays is higher at high elevations, and snow can reflect up to 80% of damaging UV rays, increasing exposure.
7. Every skin type is protected by sunscreen
People with dark skin have natural protection against suntans and sunburns since melanin is present, but protecting against damaging UV radiation is still necessary. Fair-skinned people are more likely to acquire skin cancer.
