As a makeup artist/beauty expert for over 24
years, I continually emphasize a basic and crucial element in my profession, and in the
articles I write for publication. Skin care and maintenance, and the effects of sun
exposure to skin. Why do I bother? For very significant and obvious reasons; without
a properly cared for canvas, makeup cannot do its optimal job of illumination and
enhancement. Even if you don't wear makeup, your skin is the last line of defense against
many diseases, and protection to your vital organs. Serious skin care and protection is
not just for women in the bridal phase of their existence, it is for life! However,
becoming a bride seems to be the time when a woman takes the most critical overall look at
her skin, and skin care regimen.
A good skin care routine and makeup that is properly chosen for
skin type, undertone, and coloring is, in itself, a marriage for life. Added to this is
the increasing awareness in our society of sun exposure, and the effects of permanent
damage it causes. Take this little true or false test and see how much you really know
about skin injury from sun exposure:
1. Wrinkles are caused by the aging process only.
2. Only people who burn easily need to use sunscreen.
3. If it is overcast outside, there is no danger of sun damage.
4. I only need to worry about sun exposure in the summertime, and
only if I am going to be outside for an extended period of time.
5. There is no such thing as a safe sun tan.
How well did you know the answers? Let's find out…….
1. False. Sun exposure has been proven to cause wrinkling
due to photo-aging of the skin (tanning), even in your teen years!
2. False. All skin types, from the palest to the darkest, can
burn. Darker skin has a higher degree of natural SPF, so it burns much more slowly, but
all skins need sunscreen protection.
3. False. About 80% of the sun's rays still come through on an
overcast day any time of the year. You need sunscreen even on these days.
4. False! The sun emits damaging rays even in the wintertime! Sun
injury starts the moment you go outside. It is vital that you wear a sunscreen year round
for continued protection.
5. True! Any tanning of the skin whether it is by the sun or a
tanning booth, is an injury to the skin with lasting damaging effects.
If you have not given sun exposure much thought up until now,
being forewarned is forearmed, at any stage in life! Sun exposure is also the number one
cause of skin disorders, including cancer. It emits two types of rays that cause damage to
your skin: UVA and UVB. UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply causing a breakdown of
collagen and elastin, and cause more long term skin damage such as premature aging,
wrinkling, and spotting of skin. UVB rays burn the top layer of your skin and is linked to
skin cancers. So, know your UV rays: think A for 'aging' and B for 'burning'. Put up your
parasol: be sure your sunscreen is broad spectrum with an SPF minimum of 15 or
higher.
Christian Bride Magazine is the Christian women's guide to the big day and
beyond. Focusing on the spiritual aspects of a wedding and planning for marriage,
Christian Bride is the only bridal magazine designed specifically for Christian women.
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