Nav

Jul 11, 2012

Which sunscreen should you use?


Rx for Brown Skin for African American skin care

 


With summer right around the corner, you've probably been hearing a lot about how important it is to protect your African American skin with sunscreen. Of course, there are so many different SPF brands and products on the market, it can be very overwhelming when you have to choose which one works for your skin. Recently, Reporter News, a Texas information provider published an article explaining how to pick the right sunscreen for you.


The news source explained that the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation falls into two categories: ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B.


"Many commercial sunscreens only focus their protection efforts on ultraviolet B rays - the kind that causes sunburns (an easy way to remember: "B" is for "burn"). But they do little to shield against ultraviolet A, which does the real damage - contributing to skin cancer and early skin aging," according to the news source.


The Reporter News stated that products labeled "broad spectrum" protect against both A and B, so you'll want to look for those while you're shopping.



According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, while African Americans have a lower risk of skin cancer than their light-skinned counterparts, they tend to be diagnosed in the late stages of the disease, decreasing their chances of surviving. This is why it's important to protect your African American skin from the sun.

Jul 10, 2012

Survey shows young people in the dark about skin cancer


Rx for Brown Skin for African American skin care

 


As the weather gets warmer, it's important for you to do everything you can to protect your African American skin against the sun's UV rays. Recently a survey conducted by the American Academy of Dermatology found that many young adults are unaware of the dangers of tanning beds or spending time in the sun without sunscreen.


According to the results of the survey, nearly half of the respondents agreed with the statement, "I prefer to enjoy sunshine and not worry about what I should do to protect myself from it." Furthermore, 24 percent of individuals were not aware that tanning beds are not safer than spending time in the sun, and 31 percent did not know that prolonged sun exposure can cause wrinkles.


The researchers said that these findings may offer clues as to why melanoma is the most common form of cancer among young adults between 25 and 29 years old and the second most common form for people between 15 and 29 years old.


The results of this survey suggest that more needs to be done to spread awareness among young people of the dangers of skin cancer. If you're planning on spending a lot of time in the sun this summer, be sure to wear a hat or protective clothing and an African American skin care product containing SPF. 

Expert stresses the importance of exfoliating in summer


Rx for Brown Skin for African American skin care

 


Summer means that it's time to change your African American skin care routine in preparation for the warmer weather. Recently, Access Hollywood spoke to skin care professional Sonya Dakar, who has worked with many celebrities, and she offered tips on how to get your skin ready for the warmer weather.


First, she recommended changing the cleanser you use. Switch out the heavy moisturizing wash and change it out for an oil-absorbing one. Next, Dakar said you want to be sure to exfoliate.


"No matter how much lotion you use, you’re never going to have glowing skin if you don’t exfoliate. Especially when you are transitioning from spring to summer- you want to reveal a fresh young complexion! Grab a gentle facial exfoliator and hit the shower. The steam will gently soften your skin and allow the scrub to easily slough off dead dull skin," said Dakar, quoted by the news source.


Daily Glow reminds its readers that you shave more in the summer, so you need to replace your razor often and shave only after you’ve been in the shower for a few minutes, which is when the hairs are softer.

Jul 6, 2012

Help your skin care product help you


Rx for Brown Skin for African American skin care

 


Your African American skin care product can work to keep your complexion looking gorgeous, but it can't do it alone. You also need to be working on a regular basis to ensure that you are doing all you can to promote healthy skin. Recently, The Georgetown Dish, a Washington, DC news source, published its writers' favorite skin care tips to help you do your part.


The first piece of advice the information provider gave was to listen to your skin.


"If your skin breaks out when you use a product, that product is not for you. If your skin feels uncomfortable, irritated, blotchy, raw when you use a product, that product is not for you. Think of your skin as a baby – it can’t express itself in words, so it finds other ways of telling you how it feels. Listen to it," stated the news source.


Next, the Dish said that you shouldn't be waiting for problem spots or wrinkles to appear before you start doing things to prevent them, such as using SPF regularly and applying high-quality products.


The Mayo Clinic reminds people that one of the best ways they can prevent skin damage is to not smoke, since smoking narrows the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin, decreasing blood flow and contributing to wrinkles.