When it comes to protecting your skin, sunscreen is essential. Sunscreen will help protect your skin from burning, but it will also help stop some of the signs of aging caused by UV rays.
But sunscreen is only effective at preventing sun damage when it is applied correctly. Believe it or not, there are some commonly missed spots that many people neglect when applying sun protection, leaving these areas vulnerable to damage and skin cancer.
Think you’ve been applying sunscreen correctly? Take a look at our guide to the most commonly missed areas to apply your sunscreen so you can get it right every time.
What Happens When You Only Use Sunscreen on Your Face?
If you want to know what happens when you only apply sunscreen to your face, then this viral tweet gives you a very clear idea:
Cheek and neck of a 92-year-old female, who used UV-protective moisturizers on her face but not on the neck for 40+ years.https://t.co/Q8wWxY2tDE pic.twitter.com/FBSswmYxt1
— Avi Bitterman, MD (@AviBittMD) September 2, 2022
When using sunscreen, it’s important to not only think about the short-term use to prevent burning or excessive tanning, but the long-term implications too. Over time, sun damage can cause premature aging, leaving visible damage as well as increasing your risk of skin cancer. So while the signs aren’t visible right now, as we age, the more likely we are to increase our risk of skin damage.
When using sunscreen, it’s important to not only think about the short-term use to prevent burning or excessive tanning, but the long-term implications too. Over time, sun damage can cause premature aging, leaving visible damage as well as increasing your risk of skin cancer. So while the signs aren’t visible right now, as we age, the more likely we are to increase our risk of skin damage. .
Commonly Missed Spots to Apply Sunscreen
While the tweet above shows where sunscreen was neglected, the neck is just one of several areas that are vulnerable to sun damage.
Your Neck & Chest
Your neck and chest are constantly exposed to the sun, especially during the summer as you shed the clothing layers. As you apply sunscreen to your face, make sure you also apply to these areas. A spray sunscreen works wonders, and you can check out our guide to how to use spray sunscreen to help you apply it properly.
Your Lips
Believe it or not, even your lips are susceptible to sun damage. Lips are extremely fragile because they do not have any sweat glands or sebaceous glands and only produce a small amount of melanin. The best way to protect them is to regularly use protection with SPF. Choose products like our Make It Pop Sungloss with added SPF to keep your lips kissable and protected at the same time.
Your Eyelids & Ears
Burning your eyelids and ears is no joke. The fragile tissue is the thinnest on the body, less than 1 millimeter thick. Eyelids are meant to protect our eyes, but the lids themselves need protection too. The damage over time can also make you look much older than you are. Remember to apply to these areas when protecting your face for full coverage.
Your Scalp
Your scalp is particularly vulnerable to UV rays, which is why you need to protect it. Cover your hair with a hat or a scarf to help you keep your scalp out of the sun.
Your Feet
Don’t forget to protect your feet with SPF, including the soles if you’re lying in the sun. Make It Glow SPF 30 is a must-have product to keep your feet soft and smooth and protected with broad-spectrum sunscreen.
Your Hands
Finally, women need to remember to protect their hands. Apply sunscreen regularly, (every two hours) including after washing, or use SPF gloves like our Sun Shield UPF 50 Gloves to keep your hands safe from the sun.
Now that you know more about the areas where people forget to wear sunscreen, you can take active steps to protect yourself from head to toe. Invest in a good everyday sunscreen like our Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30 and enjoy both short and long-term protection for your skin.
