How many times have you been told stay out of the sun?

Many times I’m sure and most for good reasons.

The advancing results of direct exposure to the sun put us at threat of cellular damage, very early wrinkling, age spots, scaly lesions, and skin cancer—including the scariest and deadliest form—melanoma.

So you see, when you hear someone asking you not to expose yourself to the sun maybe you should listen to their advice.

But isn’t the sun good for you too? Sure, if you have the right protection. If you don’t, this is what you could be subjecting yourself to:

• Suntan

Tanned skin is generally considered to be beautiful and desirable in most Western countries. Unfortunately, with that golden shade of brown often comes injury to the top layer of the skin. A direct exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays accelerates the effects of aging and increases your chances of developing skin cancer.

A simple way to prevent damage to your skin and delight in the outdoors is to use a sunscreen. The only problem is, most sunscreens are packed with chemicals that may be even more dangerous than the sun they claim to protect you from. Find a natural, chemical free sunscreen if possible. My Skin’s Friend is 100% organic, is effective as soon as you put it on and provides SPF 20 protection. It’s even safe enough for babies.

If you want to get a tan without exposing yourself to either the sun or chemicals, take a look at our organic sunless tanner.

• Sunburn

Mild sunburn usually appears within hours after direct exposure to the sun’s intense UV rays and could take days and even weeks to fade and heal.

Longer exposure may result in a second degree burn. That is destructive to the underlying layers of the skin too and could result in damage to nerve endings. It is typically more painful and it takes longer to heal.

Don’t hesitate to see a medical professional if you experience raw sunburn. That’s when the skin actually comes off, exposing the underlying layers and can be not only very painful but result in infections if not treated properly.

• Wrinkles

Intense exposure to the sun's rays will result in a skin that appears wrinkled and old years just before it should.

Did you k now that over 80% of indications of skin aging in adults are due to over exposure from the sun before the age of 18? Shocking I know but true. With time, the sun's ultraviolet light harms the fibers in the skin called elastin, causing the skin to begin to droop, stretch, and shed its ability to recover after stretching.

• Melasma or Chloasma

Excessive amounts of sunlight trigger irregular coloring of the skin with some parts appearing darker than others. It shows mainly on the cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead. The sun can likewise cause long-term modifications in small capillaries, giving your skin a reddish appearance.

Use a chemical-Free Sun block SPF 20 at all times if you have melasma, as sunshine intensifies the problem. My Skin’s Friend Sweet Potato Lotion with its effective carotenoids has also been tried for these health conditions and has efficiently removed the unwanted stains with continued use. Don’t expect it to disappear quickly though. You should see results after about 3 months of daily application.

• Freckles.

Flat colored spots on the skin, known as freckles, are usually found on sun-exposed locations of the body. See a medical professional if the size, form, or color of an area changes or ends up being painfully. Protect yourself with a chemical-Free Sunscreen 20 SPF.

•   Age Spots

The result of sun exposure (not age, as it name indicates), have the tendency to show up on locations that are heavily exposed to the sun, such as the face, hands, and upper body. Though not really created by aging, age spots multiply with time.

As opposed to whitening serums, acid peels, and light-based treatments, use chemical free Sweet Potato Lotion to help fade the spots. You might also try our organic, chemical free peel.

Small pigmented spots on the skin with a plainly specified side are harmless, but to eliminate severe skin issue such as most cancers, see a skin specialist for proper diagnosis and treatment.

So, how do we deal with the darker side of the sun?

How do we prevent sunburn, premature creases, skin cancer cells, and other damaging effects from sunlight?

Simply by staying away from it, especially between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the sunlight's rays are strongest.

Also, by generously applying a chemical-free Sunblock with an SPF of 20 (don't forget your lips and ears!).

If you have no choice but to stay exposed to the sun, put on a hat and sunglasses and cover yourself with protective clothing. If you discover changes to your skin such as a mole altering the way it looks or a sore that will not heal, see a doctor.

Remember: we are our best guardians.

So, let’s start by protecting ourselves from that in nature that causes us harm and by making the smart decision not to use products that are loaded with chemicals and are affecting our health.