Why you should use sunscreen- Dermatologists

Dermatologists have advised the public to imbibe the habit of using sunscreen inorder to keep their skin healthy and to protect them from other health conditions. The Abuja Dermatology Society gave the advise while sensitizing female students of the University of Abuja about skin health to mark this year’ s World Skin Health Day. Dr […]

Dermatologists have advised the public to imbibe the habit of using sunscreen inorder to keep their skin healthy and to protect them from other health conditions.

The Abuja Dermatology Society gave the advise while sensitizing female students of the University of Abuja about skin health to mark this year’ s World Skin Health Day.

Dr Haroun Adamu, a consultant dematologist with the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja and Dr Emeka Okoro , a dermatologist with the Federal Medical Centre,  Keffi  said sun screen protects the skin from the ultra violent rays of the sun.

The experts also decried the poor use of sunscreen among the populace adding that it  should be used  by men and women, children and adults.

Dr Haroun Adamu said that sunscreens are creams that help  filter the harmful effects of the ultra violent rays of the sun.

He said ultraviolet rays cause  harmful effects on the skin such as early aging, cancer and  dark spots .

He said: “So the sunscreen is a substance that  acts like tinted glass and prevents the effects of the rays of the sun thereby preventing aging, wrinkling , cancer, and abnormal pigmentation.

“To have a healthy and youthful skin you must use a sunscreen,” he added.

Asked the number of times and ways to  use a sunscreen, he said people should apply it on their skin after applying their creams.

He said sunscreen should be used in the morning and applied again at midday.

He however added that people who might not find the above convenient should try to apply it at least once a day whether they  are going to where there was sunlight  or not.

He said many people have the misconception that sunscreen could only be used when the go out in the sunlight. He said so long as people could see themselves and the next person to them, it meant there was sunlight and so they should apply a sunscreen.

He said some creams contain sunscreens but that it was usually in small  quantities. He said it was better to get a sunscreen on its own.

He added that women who use skin lightening products without using sunscreens are damaging their skin and health as they make the sun rays to have a field  day.

Dr Emeka Okoro explained that sunscreens are creams that contain chemicals that could block the effect of the harmful rays of the sun.

He said the primary health benefit of sunscreens was that it gave people a glowing skin and maintained skin colour as the sun made the skin darker and wrinkled.

Dr Okoro said when the skin was darker and wrinkled,  it could cause the psychological effects of wanting to bleach the skin which would in turn lead to other health problems.

“ When you use sun screens, you reduce the effect of the  damage ultra violent rays does to your skin and also makes the skin healthier, “ he said.

He said the society targeted female students for the exercise because the psychological effects of skin issues was more common among women and girls .

Mbanusi Chinemerem,  a 100 level student of linguistics of the University of Abuja said  the sensitization exercise was an eye opener for her on sunscreens, medicated soaps and other substances, she has previously used on her skin.