A lot of Latinas tend to think because they have tan or dark skin that they're suddenly exempt from getting skin cancer. That's definitely not the case! In fact, according to a L'Oreal Paris survey there's been a rising increase among Latina women with melanoma, mainly because they still don't understand the harmful effects of the sun. Around 17 percent of Latinas rarely or ever wear sunscreen which is totally nuts. But as much as I encourage you to start to incorporating SPF into your regular beauty routine (despite the weather or season), I must warn you about some of the sunscreen myths that are out there.
Readmore ¿Qué más? Sunscreen 101: For your kid's safety
Dark skin doesn't burn: This has to be the biggest and craziest lie on the planet. You may not burn as easily as someone with very fair skin, but the extra melanin in your skin doesn't protect you against harmful UV damage that can lead to aging or worse, cancer.
The higher the SPF the better: Not necessarily! In fact, sunscreens that are higher than SPF 50, many times give consumers a false sense of security. They usually aren't any more effective than sunscreens of a lower number. Look for an SPF 50 and make sure to reapply every two hours, whether you're in doors or not.
It's cloudy out don't need SPF: For years I thought I only needed SPF during the summertime, and that can't be further from the truth. Around 80 percent of UV rays actually pass through clouds. So make sure you slap on some of that sunscreen before leaving the house, even if it's raining out.
I don't need SPF when I'm indoors: Wrong. Apparently glass only filters out UVB rays and not UVA rays which are actually more harmful because they penetrate deeper. Try applying an oil-free moisturizer that contains at least SPF to the exposed areas on your body.
Lack of sun causes Vitamin D definiciency: That's still no excuse to leave the house without SPF on at all times. As a matter of fact, if you're lacking vitamin D all you need to do is incorporate more vitamin D rich foods, like milk, eggs, cheese, or salmon.
You're at a greater risk for sunburns if you're a kid: The truth is we're all at risk for sunburns or sun damage, despite our age. But it is important to take extra precaution with your little ones.
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