Tips to Protect Your Skin fron Sun Rays


As much as summer involves having fun in the sun, it also requires taking steps to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful effects that can lead to skin cancer, wrinkles and age spots. As the rate of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer continues to rise, experts caution against sunbathing without protection against ultraviolet rays. But how much do you really know about protecting yourself and your family from the harmful effects of the sun?
As we head to the beaches and spend time outdoors this summer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts’ Prevention and Wellness Program offers the following information and health tips to help you stay safe in the sun.

· Sunscreen: Always make sure you apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or above to defend against UV rays. For infants and young children, be sure to use kid-friendly sun screen, which often has fewer chemicals. It is important to follow all directions, reapply regularly and check the expiration date.

· Minimize exposure: Try to limit direct exposure to the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. during the summer months. When in the sun during these hours, wear sunscreen and seek shade whenever possible. Babies under one year of age should not be exposed to direct sunshine and should always wear light colored clothing with a hat when outside.

· What to wear: If you’re spending a prolonged period of time under the sun, especially during peak hours, make sure to bring a wide-brimmed hat, pants, and a long-sleeved shirt.

· Avoid the ‘surprise’ sunburn: Even on an overcast day, 80 percent of the sun’s powerful rays can break through the clouds. Be sure to apply sunscreen just as if there were no clouds if you must be outside for a long period of time.

· Beware of the ‘base tan:’ While incremental tanning may leave you less likely to burn, the harmful UV rays still get through and are in fact what cause the base tan in the first place.

· Know Your Medications: Some common prescription and over-the-counter drugs can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. You should always ask your doctor or pharmacist about the side effects of any medications you take. If one of your prescriptions increases your sensitivity to sunlight, it is important to take the necessary extra precautions.
Keeping these tips in mind, a summer of fun in the sun can be made much safer.

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Sugaring and Waxing-Homemade Hair Removal method By James.

Hair removal solutions are as effective at home as they are in the parlors. The only exception being removal of hair through processes like electrolysis and laser hair removal, for which visits to the skin clinic are the only way out. To remove fine hair of your skin, try a mix of chickpeas flour with water and make a smooth paste. Apply this paste on your skin wherever there is growth of fine hair and leave it to dry. After the paste has fully dried, scrape it off gently and wash the area with water.
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Sugaring is another very effective method of hair removal and can be easily made at home. For this you need to take two cups of sugar, ¼ cup of water and also ¼ cup of lemon juice. Mix all this ingredients together and pour into a pan. Heat on a low flame and keep stirring until the sugar has fully dissolved. The residue should be a thick brown liquid, which serves as the natural wax. Before applying on the skin, check the wax for consistency and make sure that the temperature is not too hot enough, to scald your skin. Take thin strips of cotton cloth or any waxing strip and apply it over the portion where you have put the sugar. Press firmly with smooth strokes on the cloth so that there are no folds in the cloth. Once the mixture has cooled, remove it in one quick motion in the opposite direction to your hair growth. Tweezing is also another effective method of hair removal but the only hitch is that it is extremely time consuming. It is extremely effective for bush eyebrows and limits the growth of hair as well, over time. Remember always to use clean and sharp tweezers for removing hair. Shaving is also an extremely easy way to remove hair from your body. Take care not to use it on your eyebrows or upper lip and face. Lather using a mild body wash or soap over the desired skin part. Certain precautions while shaving are; always use a razor that is not being used by any other person to prevent infection through cuts and for hygiene. Do not use a blunt razor as it does not remove hair effectively and applying excess pressure might cause razor cuts or burns on the skin. Use firm strokes to remove hair and always shave in one direction only. In your skin gets cut, immediately wash off with an antiseptic. Moisturize your skin after shaving to prevent dry skin.
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These hair removal techniques are not permanent solutions to preventing growth of hair but they keep the body smooth and hair free. Permanent hair removal is not only costly but is also not fully effective in removing hair.