Protecting Our Skin Against Harmful UV Rays

Arm sleeves have gained popularity (and especially with sports atheletes) over the years for a number of reasons. Firstly, the natural compression can improve the circulation in your arms to provide support and boost muscle recovery.

Secondly, arm sleeves provide protection from harmful UV rays, turf burn and sun damage.  Do check if the arm sleeve have a UPF label, otherwise it is better to look for arm bands made of darker materials and denser weaves for sun protection.

However, not all are 'warm' to the idea of wearing covered arm sleeves.  This could be partly due to trend; convenience; fashion and the humidity of a given particular country/ area.  

These days, there are many who recognised that daily application of block/ sun screen protector, goes a long way to maintaining good healthy skin.

So, why is UV protection important for the skin?

Simply because most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light.  UV rays are an invisible kind of radiation that comes from the sun, tanning beds, and even sunlamps, just to highlight a few examples.  UV rays can cause serious damage to our delicate skin cells.

Therefore, protection from UV rays is important all year, as UV rays can reach you even on cloudy and cool days, and they reflect off of surfaces like water, concrete, metallic objects, sand, and believe it or not, even snow.

Now, the question that is in everyone's lips.........there are so many kind/ types of sun block/ sun screen protector in the market, so which one should they buy?  By the way, be ready to spend a little more as quality products are never cheap. (you can still get change with 2 x Sin$50 notes)

For me, i personally felt that any sun block/ sun screen protector that is SPF 30 (Sun Protection Factor) and above will get you amply covered.  Also, do be somewhat generous especially when you are applying it to your face.  I usually use a little more than one finger length's worth of cream for both sides of my face.

When I'm out cycling or at the beach and felt the desire to have a tan, i will consider using a lower SPF protection, perhaps SPF 15-20, so that i can still have some UV protection while getting a light tan at the same time.

A short tan will suffice, don't bake your skin :)

Article contributed by Jasmine Ooi, IDO Aesthetic Clinic