7 Common Myths About Sunscreen and Sun Safety
These common misconceptions about sun safety may surprise you!
Sun safety is one of the most pervasively neglected areas of skincare. And these common myths about sunscreen, SPF, and sun safety are largely to blame!
Just how serious is the lack of sun care? Though sun damage can occur year round, studies have found that over 82% of Americans don't wear sunscreen daily. In fact, only half-way through 2021, an estimated 45% of the U.S. population had already been sun burned!
The impact of this neglect can have far-reaching effects. From early aging of the skin to melanoma, sun damage is an insidious, destructive force. Here are 7 frequently held myths about sunscreen and sun damage that could be leading you to make skincare mistakes.
Myth #1: A Small Sun Burn Won't Hurt You
Aside from the discomfort of a stinging sun burn, many people believe that the damage is quickly resolved. Even when your skin peels from a bad burn, the visible traces of the sun burn may quickly disappear.
Unfortunately, the damage done by UVA and especially UVB rays is far more significant. In fact, the damage below the surface that sun burns leave behind can actually be revealed years or even decades after the burn. Resulting in:
Molecular level damage
DNA disruption
Increased cancer risk
Earlier roughness, wrinkling, and other signs of aging in the skin
UVB rays (shorter rays with harsher effects) are particularly concerning. While only about 5% of the sunlight seeping through the ozone layer are classified as UVB rays, exposure to these rays can hurt DNA and put you at greater risk of skin cancer.
Myth #2: You Don't Need Sunscreen On Overcast Days
Most of us have made this mistake! We glance outside, notice a gray sky, and decide to save a little time and skip the sunscreen routine (if we have one at all). While outside we don't feel the blazing sun, may not feel the heat as much, don't need sunglasses - and we let our guard down. The truth is that UV rays are still very present on overcast days (up to 90% penetrate through the clouds), and you can even get sunburned.
Regular sunscreen application is still essential for time spent outside on overcast days!
Myth #3: Sunscreen Is Only For Summer Sports
Believe it or not, winter sports present significant opportunity for UV exposure. Not only does sunlight still touch your skin during the winter, but snow can have a reflective effect on sunlight that brings you in even closer contact with it.
People participating in winter sports like skiing also commonly make the mistake of believing their clothing covers enough of their skin. Small areas of exposed skin can still suffer sun damage, so it's always important to apply sunscreen when participating in these sports.
If you're wondering about sun safety essentials for other outdoor activities check out our guide on proper application and sun care routines!
Myth #4: You Don't Need Sunscreen If You Stay Indoors
The vast majority of sun exposure is unintentional, or in moments when you barely notice it. Some common culprits include:
while driving
walking between buildings
sitting in direct sunlight
You will not typically get a sunburn from indoor sun exposure because glass blocks the UVB rays that cause visible burns, but glass does nothing to prevent UVA rays from hitting your skin, and these can cause anything from wrinkles to cancer. Sunscreen application should still be part of your routine on days like this, and making it a habit will help protect you from subtle damage.
Myth #5: SPF 30 Offers Double the Protection of SPF 15
This isn't how SPF works! While SPF 30 is indeed stronger and more protective, don't let yourself become complacent by believing you don't need to apply a stronger SPF sunscreen often.
SPF 15 blocks 94% of UVB rays, while SPF 30 blocks roughly 97%. SPF 30 is recommended as the standard, minimal sunscreen to apply on a daily basis, but for outdoor activities like swimming, an SPF 50 is much better.
Myth #6: Sunscreen Is Not Necessary For Darker Skin
It's a commonly held misconception that melanated people don't really need sunscreen. While greater amounts of melanin may produce higher resilience against sun damage (skin pigment offers roughly the equivalent of SPF 4 sunscreen) it is not nearly enough to make sunscreen unnecessary.
Even without visible sun burns, skin cancer and wrinkling are still risks. At Bee Wild we're striving to create sunscreen options that will work for everyone of any skin type!
Myth #7: Long-Sleeved Clothing Replaces the Need for Sunscreen
Wearing protective clothing CAN be helpful, such as wearing a wide-brimmed hat that shades your face and wearing long sleeves. However, most fabrics don't provide sufficient protection, and can be penetrated by UV rays. Dark colors are generally more protective than light colors, and tightly woven fabrics offer more protection than loose weaving (if you can see sunlight through a shirt then UV rays can get through it).
Wearing clothing with a high UPF rating can mitigate a lot of UV exposure. But even with high UPF clothes, your extremities will still be at risk. Sunscreen is still essential, especially for activities like biking, kayaking, etc.
Sunscreen Is A Must!
Have you heard these common myths about sunscreen, or even believed some of them? When it comes to sun safety, the knowledge gap is a significant hurdle, but the more you learn, and the more you develop sun-safe habits, the better chance you have of keeping your skin healthy.
Interested in learning more about sunscreen and sun safety? Keep up with The Buzz here at Bee Wild's blog! We're so passionate about clean beauty and sun care that we're creating our own eco-friendly sunscreen. And we're excited to share the journey of plastic-free sun safety with you!
