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Only Skin Deep? How to Maximize Sunscreen Efficacy

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Ladies, if you could equip your friends and family with an invisible "bulletproof vest" that would protect them from any unseen dangers, you would do it in a heartbeat. Having a secure way of ensuring your loved ones' safety all day, every day, would definitely make your job easier. And what if I told you that your search for this invisible, yet effective "bulletproof vest" is merely a mouse click away? That lifesaving product is called sunscreen.

Sunscreen, when used properly, works much akin to a thin and almost invisible bulletproof vest that contains organic molecules that absorb, scatter, and reflect UV rays, thus protecting you from a silent killer called the sun. Over-exposure to UV rays means a significantly increased risk for skin cancer, which is the world's most commonly diagnosed cancer.

In fact, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, someone in the United States dies every hour from melanoma-the deadliest form of skin cancer. Yet, 90 percent of skin cancers are preventable if we are proactive about properly protecting ourselves from over-exposure to UV-rays from the sun. Among the simplest, most effective preventative measures we can take is by properly and regularly applying sunscreen.

Two decades ago, sunscreen was relatively unheard of, whereas today it has become apart of our common jargon. Heightened awareness of skin cancer and the importance of sunscreen, even sun protective clothing have, in ways, only further confused us and perhaps even caused us to ignore the warnings.

Have you ever wondered why there have been occasions when you slapped on a pound of sunscreen before hitting the lake only to return home burnt to a crisp? The problem is, we are told to use sunscreen but we aren't instructed on how to properly apply it; to maximize its efficacy.