Sunscreen
From ArticleWorld
Sunscreen is a cosmetic product that is used to block the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. The use of sunscreen prevents sunburn and skin damage and has been proven to lower the risk of skin cancer.
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Other names
Sunscreen is a cosmetic and personal care product. It is also known as sunblock or suntan lotion.
How it works
Sunscreen blocks ultraviolet rays that come from the sun. The best sunscreens block UVB rays that damage the skin by causing sunburn, and UVA rays, which damage the skin in other ways, without causing sunburn. Sunscreens work because they either contain an organic material that absorbs ultraviolet light (like oxybenzone) or a material that reflects light (like zinc oxide or titanium oxide), or a combination of both these products.
Use
It is suggested that people wear sunscreen to protect their skin whenever they are outside, even on cloudy or cold days. This is proven to prevent long-term skin damage (such as excessive signs of aging) and to prevent skin cancer). Most people, however, only wear sunscreen in the summer or when they are outside in the bright sun for long periods of time. It is suggested that sunscreen be reapplied 30 minutes prior to exposure to the sun.
Negative
Sunscreen is known to prohibit the production of Vitamin D, which has been conclusively linked to the prevention of some dangerous forms of cancer. It is suggested that up to 15 minutes of direct exposure to the sun a day allows for optimum production of Vitamin D.
History
The ancient Greeks used olive oil as a sunscreen; it is believed that this was not effective. Sunscreen as we know it was invented in 1944 by a pharmacist by the name of Benjamin Greene in order to protect soldiers from the sun’s rays.