Even though it’s known that taking sun safety measures is a must outdoors, not many people understand they might experience sun exposure indoors, also. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation can pass through windows to reach the skin, accelerating skin aging by several years, as a current study demonstrates. One must understand that along with accelerating skin aging, cumulative UV exposure can also increase your risk of skin cancer.

Based on content published in Clinical Interventions in Aging, eight women and two men had considerably more wrinkles and sagging skin on one side of the face, even though they worked indoors. The side of the subjects’ faces that was constantly nearer to a window exhibited more signs of sun damage (“asymmetrical facial damage”), and ultraviolet A (UVA) rays are thought to be the culprit. While both UVA and UVB rays can harm the skin and lead to skin cancers, UVB is effectively blocked by glass. However, at least 50 percent of UVA radiation can pass through windows. (Car windows have been proven to let in more than 60 percent.)

The study showed that the people most affected were those who drove vehicles for a living, or had jobs that required several hours of driving daily. In cars, windshields are laminated, and filter out UVA, but side and back windows are not. As expected, the seven people with jobs that required significant amounts of driving had significantly more direct UVA exposure on the side of the face closer to the driver’s side window. This pattern was seen in non-drivers as well: For instance, a shopkeeper had more signs of aging on the side of her face regularly closer to the store window.

The study found that people had more wrinkles under and around the eyes and on the cheeks were worse on the more UVA-exposed side of the face; skin texture was also rougher. The results also indicated that skin on the more UVA-exposed side of persons face may be duller, dryer, and slacker, and the crow’s feet deeper. This study shows that chronic exposure to UVA radiation accelerates the aging of skin five to seven years.

The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends you to have special UV-protective film applied to your rear and side windows. Other recommendations include using sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or higher, and to stay away from indoor tanning salons that use a tanning bed, booth, or sunlamp as these can cause skin cancers including melanoma (the deadliest type of skin cancer), basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation also can cause cataracts and cancers of the eye (ocular melanoma).

Preventative Measures for protecting your skin include covering up as much of your skin when possible. Be extra cautious near water, sand or snow as the sun’s rays are stronger when they reflect off these surfaces, even if you’re in what you consider a shady spot. Wearing protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and UV-resistant wrap-around sunglasses can protect your body, face and eyes from the suns damaging rays.

Skin Cancer Cure

Dry skin can be a pesky problem. And sometimes it’s hard to tell whether a certain lotion will help to get rid of the dry and flaky skin. Fortunately there are some great natural remedies that can help you. Here are ten of the best.

1. Olive Oil – Olive oil is great for moisturizing your skin. Dab a small amount of olive oil onto wherever the driest areas of your skin are. Massage it in well so that your skin can benefit from the great moisturizing qualities of the olive oil. To get rid of extremely dry skin, leave it on overnight.

2. Coconut Oil – Coconut oil is so great for your skin because it is high in oils and contains natural emollient properties. This means that you can get the maximum quantity of moisture and the best coverage.

3. Honey – Honey is another good moisturizer as its sticky consistency and the antibacterial qualities help to relieve any inflammation and also nourish your skin. Honey can be used alone or with another kitchen remedy for your dry skin. When used as a cleanser, rub a small amount of raw honey all over your dehydrated skin. For best results, apply by using your fingers or a cotton ball. And when used as a facial mask, do the same as you would for a cleanser. Just leave on for 15-30 minutes.

4. Yogurt – Yogurt is high in lactic acid which is good for exfoliating the skin, tightening pores, and stimulating collagen production. The lactic acid is needed so that you can remove the dry and flaky skin form your body and replace it with smooth skin. When applying in the morning, cover your face in yogurt, then remove with a splash of cold water. At night, your skin can benefit from a yogurt mask made by mixing yogurt and honey.

5. Milk – Like the yogurt, milk has lactic acid in it. The lactic acid can eliminate dead skin cells and make your skin feel moisturized and fresh. Dry areas of the skin are removed because of the fat content in the milk. After applying, make sure you rinse off well.

6. Aloe Vera – Aloe Vera is one of the best ways to soothe dry and flaky skin.

7. Salt – If your dry skin begins to itch, a salt scrub might be the best way for you to get relief from the itchiness. The best way to use this is when bathing. When bathing, just rub the salt all over the areas of dryness. The rubbing of salt will help remove the dead skin cells. Salt can also reduce inflammation.

8. Oatmeal – Oatmeal is one of the best ingredients in removing dry skin. If you were to look at a lotion’s ingredients, you’ll notice that oatmeal is often listed as one of the parts that they use. You can try cooking the oatmeal with water and when cooled, apply to your skin.

9. Avocado – The oil of avocados are rich in vitamins, including vitamins A, E, and D. These vitamins contribute to moisturizing and hydrating the skin. To get the greatest benefit from the avocado, combine it with honey and sugar. Put a small amount on and massage into your skin gently.

10. Water – By not drinking enough water, your skin can get dehydrated. Sometimes, just by drinking a glass of water, your skin can become hydrated again.

Using things from around the house to combat your dry skin is a great money saver. And look at all of the great things they can do.

In the past, coconut oil has gotten a bad reputation. But the fact of the matter is that coconut oil has one of the richest sources of saturated fat, with about 90% of its calories in saturated fat. It also has a plentiful amount of uses for your skin, all of which will help to preserve the glow of your natural skin.

Why You Should Use Coconut Oil on Your Skin Instead of Lotion

Those other commercial moisturizers make you feel as though your skin is nourished because of the water, but as soon as that water dries, your skin becomes dry and dehydrated. Many of these moisturizers contain petroleum-based ingredients that will, in the long run, suffocate your skin.

However, coconut oil can provide you with a deeper cleansing for your skin. It will help to strengthen your primary tissues. It can also remove any excess dead cells on the skin’s surface which can make your skin appear rough and scaly.

Coconut oil can solve plenty of skin issues. It can soothe bug bites, help with any rashes, get rid of flaky skin, easily remove any eye makeup, soften wrinkles, protect you from sun damage, and it can keep your tan in place for longer.

Lastly, it can heal skin faster. This is because coconut oil has medium chain fatty acids. It will quickly absorb into the skin where it will then be used for nutrition and energy. This process provides your skin with all the energy that it will need to heal and maintain itself.

Benefits of Coconut Oil

* Coconut oil has been proven to have antibacterial and antifungal properties.

* It can help cure your acne; it kills the bacteria causing the blemishes in the skin.

* Coconut oil can be applied as a deodorant and can be used to remove any body odor.

* Mixed with a few drops of bergamot essential oil, coconut oil can help to heal chapped lips and cold sores.

* Coconut oil is natural – there are no chemicals in it.

* The Vitamin E found in coconut oil is known to help soothe psoriasis and eczema.

* There are three fatty acids found in coconut oil: capric acid, lauric acid, and caprylic acid. All three of these acids can kill candida, which is a common cause of fungal infections in the skin.

* Coconut oil can be used as a cloth diaper cream. It can be used as a barrier to help prevent diaper rash.

* Coconut oil helps lighten age spots.

* It helps prevent stretch marks when pregnant.

* When used consistently on skin, it can get rid of cellulite.

* It can help to improve the itch of chicken pox and poison ivy.

* Coconut oil, when placed on cuticles, can help nails to grow.

For Best Results

For your face, apply as you would with any other moisturizer. Only use a small amount; use about twice a week. Wipe off after two minutes. If irritation occurs, stop use. If no irritation occurs, start applying all over body and leave overnight. While it does have a greasy consistency, it’s great at absorbing rapidly into your skin.

Has coconut oil worked for you? If so, what are your favorite uses for coconut oil?