The effects of wearing sunscreen every day prevents sunburn, skin cancer, and aging, while also being moisturizing. However, most people don’t even think about putting sunscreen on in the morning. Every singe day people should be wearing sunscreen. 

      Most people are unaware of the fact that it is recommended to wear sunscreen with at least a 30% SPF level. SPF is a sunscreens ‘sun protection factor,’ or how it can protect from UV rays.  Most people only wear sunscreen on beach days, pool days, or times when they plan to be outside for long periods of time. But the truth is, this isn’t the only time when that should happen. Wearing sunscreen daily will prevent people from aging with leathery, wrinkly skin.  

     The American Cancer Society says that on estimate, over 5.4 million people are diagnosed with skin cancer every year, and it is the most common while also being the most preventable type of cancer. One in five people will get skin cancer, and not wearing sunscreen increases your chances –  not just in summer, and not just when you’re outside. 

      Even on a cloudy day people of all ages should still be wearing a regular spf sunscreen, just because it is gloomy outside, it doesn’t mean the sun can’t damage skin. Clouds do not block UV rays.  According to Deborah S. Sarnoff, MD, president of The Skin Cancer Foundation, “most ultraviolet rays from the sun can penetrate cloud cover and fog,”’      

      In a poll done of 201 students at NHHS, 80% of people said they didn’t wear sunscreen, 12% said they usually wear sunscreen, and eight percent said that they do wear sunscreen – only eight percent.  That number is far too low for developing teenagers. At this time skin is in its prime and needs to be taken care of and protected with proper skincare. 

     There has also been a picture floating around the internet of two sisters who are identical twins. One of them wore sunscreen often and the other did not. When you look at the two side by side, you can see an image difference. This image really shows the damaging effects of the sun. This should make people understand that if they do not regularly apply sunscreen then their faces will be discolored, spotted and wrinkled from aging and sun exposure.

     The twin who didn’t wear sunscreen has a significantly larger amount of sun spots/hyperpigmentation and wrinkles. The other twin, however, only has only a few sunspots and less wrinkles than her sister, clearly showing the effect of the sun on unprotected skin. 

        Skin cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer, and  by not wearing sunscreen, you are voluntarily increasing your risk of cancer. If you get diagnosed, it is a life-changing experience. You are risking your life more and more every time you expose your skin to harmful UV rays.