Part of owning my “California girl” title is coming home with a golden bronze tan. I along with many other college students lounge outside for hours on end to achieve this goal.  When it comes to being out in the sun, I’ve never been afraid because my skin tone is darker, and I do not burn often. However, when it comes to choosing between putting on sunscreen and not, I usually do not.

Soakin Up the Sun

Now, a few things could be happening right now: either you could be someone who thinks I am absolutely crazy for damaging my skin, you could be in denial in that you’re just like me because you know deep down sunscreen is good for you, or you could agree with me because you also hate the smell of sunscreen as much as I do. Regardless of where you stand, I am here to tell you that despite how much I hate sunscreen, it actually may be one of the greatest inventions ever created.

Me when people ask about my tan

I grew up with a mother who would slather on the Banana Boat Sunscreen whenever I went outside (spf 90). It would never get into my skin all way, make me feel sticky, and had me smelling like plastic and fake fruit. Even when the spray kind came out, she never wanted to buy it because “it wasn’t strong enough.” In other words, I grew to hating sunscreen with a passion.

My face the minute you smell the sunscreen

When I got to college, I started to notice how much everyone cared about tan they were, and how much time I really did spend indoors. I started to spend lots of time outdoors with friends as the weather got nicer, and did not think twice about applying sunscreen. I got what I wanted, very tan, and was content with what I had accomplished. It was not until I had gone home one weekend to visit my dermatologist when all my pride in my tan quickly faded away.

My dermatologist when she tells me to wear sunscreen every time I see her

She asked if I had been wearing sunscreen, and when I told her no, she practically scorned and belittled me for taking such poor care of my skin. As someone who is very conscious of her skin, her words hit close to home and was the reality check I needed to save my skin. Here are a few of the reasons she shared with my and why you should in fact wear sunscreen:

1. Sunscreen prevents discoloration and wrinkles. Have you ever seen the people who look a little older than they really are? This is usually due to sun overexposure. When people spend extensive periods of time in harsh lighting, it causes the skin to age prematurely. This results in reduced amounts of collagen and elasticity in the skin than can result in someone looking significantly older than they are.
2. Sunscreen can help prevent sunburns! Okay this one is a no brainer, and I am by no means saying sunscreen applied once will solve all problems. Sunscreen with at a minimum of 15 spf should prevent most sunburns if applied 20 minutes before entering direct sunlight, and reapplied every two hours.
3. Sunscreen prevents cancer. Skin cancer is the the most prevent cancer in the US and is due to UV radiation from the sun. The three most common types are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma, all of which can be reduced if people wore sunscreen, and reapplied according to the instructions.

Bottom line is I wear sunscreen everyday at least on my face now, and every time I go outside with exposed skin I make and effort to apply my shield. Sunscreen is protection and should be a tool we take advantage everyday. As the weather I encourage you all to utilize some SPF because I am for protecting skin.

Sunscreen is important for everyone

♥ Little Kelli