Six areas you're forgetting to put sunscreen
Sunscreen is your best defense against serious future health risks.
If you are still fighting against the use of sunscreen, then let us bring you up to speed.
READ: How to remove sunscreen stains
The importance of sunscreen has been amplified over the decades, and finally, more people are beginning to understand that a straightforward step can help them avoid heartbreak.
While it might seem like an exclusively braai, pool, or beach necessity, sunscreen should be part of your daily routine.
READ: How to prepare your home for summer's agonising heat
In 2021, health guru (and actress) Gwyneth Paltrow sent the internet spiralling when she uploaded a video of her applying sunscreen in the morning.
Dermatologists, skin experts and other medical professionals took to social media to warn people that nobody should be taking sunscreen application tips from Paltrow, as her method was severely lacking.
READ: Miss SA respond to claims of 2025 finalist being a 'bully'
Caroline Hirons is a skin expert, the founder of a skincare brand, SkinRocks, and an ambassador for various British beauty councils and charities.
She wrote the following on her website: "Everything Gwyneth Paltrow says prior to and after the spf section is basically harmless, because if you follow her advice, you’ll definitely lose money and probably some self-respect, but it doesn’t put your life at risk.
But: GP has 7.5 million followers on Instagram. US Vogue has nearly 10 million subscribers on Youtube, and millions more on Facebook and Instagram, where this was also obviously joyfully shared. This spf section may have done more to set back the proper use of spf, especially among the 18-34 demographic, since the prevalent use of sunbeds in the 80s.
We already know the reluctance shown by young people when it comes to using sun protection."
READ: The best colours to paint your house to increase resale value
Not using SPF can cause severe health issues, such as keratinocyte and melanocyte skin cancers.
These cancers can affect anyone at any age, and in some countries, it is the most common kind of cancer.
READ: You won't find taxis on these roads for 30 days
Dr Ava Shamban is a board-certified dermatologist who says that even when applying SPF, you might miss some critical body parts.
People overlook key areas that matter all the time. Even the keratin protein of our hair is damaged by the sun. Some areas may present a bit differently based on the structure in and under the epidermal layers. Some areas will become itchy or experience pain, and early signs of lines, and wrinkles, or laxity.
READ: Five sleep hacks actually making your insomnia worse
As summer approaches, here are some crucial spots that you should make sure you cover and how they are affected if you skip the sunscreen:
- Neck: Can increase fine lines, “crepey” skin, and draping. The ring-like lines that cross over and up the neck, often called "necklace lines," are produced by decreased collagen and elastin production in the skin and become more prominent.
- Top of feet, fingers, and hands: These parts have minimal fat and lots of bone and vessels. Skin could lose elasticity and be more at risk for developing prematurely visible veins.
- Lips: Extended sun exposure can cause solar cheilitis, which leads to discolouration, extreme dryness and cracking.
- Ears: Most often neglected, sunburn on the ears can lead to crusting, flaking, and non-healing wounds, which are precursors to skin cancers.
- Eyelids: This skin is exceptionally thin and can lose elasticity and become droopy.
- Scalp: This area is often neglected and takes the most brutal, direct hit from the sun. The scalp can become scaly, dry, flaky and blistered. Dr Shamban says, "It’s easy to develop precancerous actinic keratosis [a skin disorder that causes rough, scaly patches] that is often harder to spot.”
- Hair: Like the scalp, hair must be protected, as it can become dehydrated, brittle, damaged, and break.
Using sunscreen consistently is more important than using the "right" brand.
READ: What food is the best kind of leftovers?
It might seem strange, but there are specialised sunscreens for the trickier parts, such as the scalp, hair, and lips.
If you don't want to splurge on a bunch of individual and specific sunscreens, then the basics, like a hat, already provide essential protection.
Tune in to 'The Drive with Rob & Roz', on weekdays from 16:00 – 19:00. Stream the show live here or download our mobile app here.
Listen to Jacaranda FM:
- 94.2
- Jacaranda FM App
- http://jacarandafm.com
- DStv 858/ OpenView 602
Follow us on social media:
Image: iStock