90% of visible skin aging is caused by harmful UV rays, you need a sun umbrella now!

woman holding a portable lightweight sun umbrella parasol to protect her skin from the damaging UV rays that cause sunburn and premature aging

“If you aren’t taking care of your skin to protect against the risk of skin cancer, then at least do so for vanity’s sake: About 90 percent of visible skin aging is caused by harmful UV rays from the sun.” Conde Nast Traveler

So you are using SPF daily, great everyone should. And I mean everyone. i certainly do! Sunscreen use can help prevent skin cancer by protecting you from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. Anyone can get skin cancer, regardless of age, gender or race. In fact, it is estimated that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.

But if you think that using SPF is enough to protect you against skin cancer, and protect your investment in skincare think again.

According to the American Academy of Dermatologists, most adults do not apply enough sunscreen, with the majority of people only applying 25 percent to 50 percent of the proper amount. A good rule of thumb is to apply approximately 1 ounce or 1 shot glass full of sunscreen to your face. Yes your face, I haven't even started on how much you need for your body. If it's exposed it needs SPF!

But what if you use a high number SPF? Higher-number SPFs block slightly more of the sun's UVB rays, but no sunscreen can block 100 percent of the sun's UVB rays.

It is also important to remember that high-number SPFs last the same amount of time as low-number SPFs. A high-number SPF does not allow you to spend additional time outdoors without reapplication. Sunscreens should be reapplied approximately every two hours when outdoors, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating, according to the directions on the bottle.

Did everyone catch that? Every two hours! That's a very expensive sunblock habit indeed and I'll wager most people are not reapplying as frequently as they should. Even the American Academy of Dermatologists admit "If you are using sunscreen every day and in the correct amount, a bottle should not last long".

I add a little insurance and take a japarra sun umbrella, also called a parasol, with me wherever I go. It makes great financial sense and helps you to protect your skin from damaging UVA and UVB sun rays that cause burning and premature aging. Oh, and did I mention, how gorgeous they look?

I really hope you'll buy one, you deserve the upgrade.

Wishing you great skin always,

Penelope xx