Home » Beauty »  Skin Care Tips »  Sunscreen An important aspect of skin care is to protect it from over exposure to the sun. Why is there such a hue and cry being made about sun protection and sunscreens? With good reason, we assure you.With the depletion in the ozone layer in the last couple of decades, the harmful ultra violet rays can now pervade into the earth's atmosphere. They can cause immense damage to us.Ultra violet rays can cause skin cancer, cataract in our eyes, sunburns and cause premature ageing. Health officials the world over, now recommend use of sunscreen lotions to avoid such problems.In a country like India that is subjected to strong sunlight almost all though the year, extra precautions need to be taken by those who venture outdoors regularly.. How does one use sunscreen products effectively? Here are a few tips..

• The sun is the strongest between 10 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon. You need to take extra precaution during these hours.
• The sunscreen should have a SPF factor of 30 or more (SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor)

• It should be applied to the exposed areas of your body. Your face, neck, arms and feet need regular applications of sunscreen lotions.
• Sunscreen needs to be used twenty minutes before you go out into the sun. This is the time normally taken by your skin to absorb it. It's effective only when absorbed. Running out into the sun immediately after applying sunscreen won't help you.
• Be generous with your applications.
• Besides sunscreen lotion, you also need to wear protective clothing. Dark coloured clothing lets in less sunlight.
• Thin cotton clothing does little to protect you from the sun even while they keep you cool in summer. Dark coloured denim is ideal to protect you from the sun.
• Wear clothes with long sleeves while going out in the sun. And long pants or skirts. Keeping your hands and legs covered is a good way to protect them.
• Wear sunglasses with protective frames when you're outdoors.
• Stay out of the sun as much as possible. If you must go out doors, stay in the shade as much as possible.
• Children need to be protected too. Especially since they tend to play outdoors for long hours.
• Grow more trees. They will help build up the ozone layer to healthy levels once again.