sun care library

 

Sun care is among the most important aspects of skin care. The sun can damage both the appearance and health of your skin. This section covers everything to do with sun care and why it's so important to protect your skin from the sun's rays.

Featured Article:  Sun's Effect on Skin

Prolonged exposure to the sun can be harmful or even dangerous, but limited exposure to the sun is a healthy way to encourage vitamin D production in your body. Watch this animation to learn about the sun's effects on the skin. See more »

5 Spots Commonly Missed When Applying Sunscreen

5 Spots Commonly Missed When Applying Sunscreen

Even the most knowledgeable and diligent sunscreen users can come home from a day in the great outdoors with burnt skin in certain places. What spots do we tend to miss when we're slathering ourselves with SPF?

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Can vitamins protect my skin from the sun?

Can vitamins protect my skin from the sun?

Some vitamins serve to protect and repair your skin from the inside out. But can they actually prevent sunburns?

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Could I be allergic to sunscreen?

Could I be allergic to sunscreen?

Sunscreen, our top defense from the sun's UV rays, can irritate some people's skin. Find out what steps to take if you have a sunscreen allergy.

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Do sunscreen pills really work?

Do sunscreen pills really work?

If you're running a marathon, swimming the English Channel or spending a whole day doing sweaty yard work, reapplying sunscreen probably isn't at the top of your priority list. Can sunscreen pills help you?

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Does homemade sunscreen really work?

Does homemade sunscreen really work?

Mixing your own sunscreen might save you some cash. But are there ingredients you can include to make sure it's as effective as the store-bought stuff?

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Does sun exposure heal acne?

Does sun exposure heal acne?

You may have heard of the free, readily available acne remedy: the sun. Unfortunately, this is one acne treatment you probably shouldn't try.

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Does tanning lotion work?

Does tanning lotion work?

Does the idea of getting a tan without having to actually sit out under the hot, baking sun appeal to you? If so, maybe you've considered tanning lotions. But how do sunless tanners actually work, if they work at all?

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Fact or Fiction: Self-tanners

Fact or Fiction: Self-tanners

The self-tanners of the past could turn you orange. But they've come a long way since then -- and everyone knows now that lying in the sun is a big no-no. How much do you know about getting a tan without the sun?

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How dangerous are tanning beds?

How dangerous are tanning beds?

We've known for a while that a suntan is not exactly a healthy glow. And now we're learning that tanning beds -- once touted as a safer alternative to the sun -- are more dangerous than we thought.

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How do sunless-tanning products work?

How do sunless-tanning products work?

How do sunless-tanning products work? Which is the most effective: self-tanning lotions or tanning pills?

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How does the sun affect healing scars?

How does the sun affect healing scars?

There are numerous ways to get rid of unsightly scars, but did you know that sun exposure can actually make healing scars more noticeable?

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How does the sun affect people with dark complexions?

How does the sun affect people with dark complexions?

It's common knowledge that sun exposure can cause sunburns and even skin cancer. But does the sun affect dark-skinned people the same way it affects people with lighter complexions?

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How fast can I get sunburned without protection?

How fast can I get sunburned without protection?

Nobody likes getting sunburned -- peeling skin and red, itchy patches can ruin a weekend before you know it. And if it's happened without sunscreen, you may be in for even more pain. How long does it take for unprotected skin to burn?

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How often should I apply sunscreen?

How often should I apply sunscreen?

Over-the-counter sunscreens offer some of the best protection available against harmful UV rays. But how long can that protection actually last?

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How Skin Pigmentation Works

How Skin Pigmentation Works

Skin color may be superficial, but the effects of pigment on our overall health can run deep. In what ways can understanding skin pigmentation help keep your body safe?

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How Spray Tanning Works

How Spray Tanning Works

A bronzed skin is de rigueur in some circles, but with the risks from sun and tanning bed exposure, what's a health-conscious person to do? How does a spray tan deepen your color, and is it safe?

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How Sun Blisters Work

How Sun Blisters Work

If you've had sun blisters from a severe sunburn, you know it isn't a pleasant experience. But if you're armed with sunscreen and some common sense, sun blisters are easy to prevent.

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How Sun Rash Works

How Sun Rash Works

You may be familiar with pollen, pet and food allergies, but did you know that many people have sun allergies? Sun rash is an allergic reaction to the sun, but what causes it and how can you prevent it?

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How Sunburns and Sun Tans Work

How Sunburns and Sun Tans Work

There is something mysterious about the sun and skin: Why do some people tan, and others burn? What's happening, and why does sunscreen prevent it? Find out exactly what the sun does to your skin.

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How Tanning Pills Work

How Tanning Pills Work

How do you fake a sun-kissed look without tanning beds and sunless-tanning lotion? Tanning pills are one alternative. Find out how they work -- and if they're safe.

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