Beat the heat, the right way: Five sunscreen mistakes you need to stop making

We might be applying sunscreen everyday, but are we applying it in the right way? Find out here.

When the sun is relentless, protecting your skin from getting singed, tanned, and harmed is of utmost importance. Thus, using sunscreen lotion and sunblock is imperative. However, many of us are disappointed by the results, which could be because of these mistakes:

1. Not paying attention to all the spots

While applying sunscreen on our face, we often miss out our ears, nose, neck, and lips. Remember, every part of your body that is exposed to the sun needs sunscreen. Leaving these areas unattended can cause tanning, and other skin-related issues caused due to harmful ultra violet (UV) rays. Make sure to apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before stepping out and use separate sunscreen for your face and body.

2. Not using sunscreen when it’s not sunny

Cloudy weather is not an excuse to not use sunscreen. Even when you stay indoors, don’t think that the UV rays will not affect you. Slather sunscreen irrespective of the weather conditions and whether you plan to spend the day outdoor or not.

3. Not reapplying your sunscreen

Apply sunscreen every two hours. If your work requires you to be out in the sun for long, it is all the more important. There are a lot of sunscreens that come with a sweat-resistant formula; you can opt for them.

4. High SPF doesn’t mean you can spend more time in the sun

Applying sunscreen with a higher SPF level doesn’t guarantee more protection. A lot of us think that a sunscreen with higher SPF will be good for the skin. But, experts suggest that the level shouldn’t be more than 50.

5. Relying only on sunscreen for sun protection

Shielding yourself from the sun does not only include using sunscreen. Using products for protection from the harmful summer sun should be accompanied by smart coverage — wear a hat, use an umbrella, opt for a full-sleeved cotton shrug, etc.

(With inputs by Dr Swaroop Singh Gambhir, skin expert)