Many people remain confused and make mistakes when it comes to the use of skincare products, particulary sunscreen. While people belonging to the ethnic dark-skinned groups think that they do not need sunscreen, fair-skinned people too commit blunders, which in turn can increase the risk of melanomas.

Below are five common sunscreen mistakes that all of us make:

• Using little sunscreen: Do not be stingy with the sunscreen, apply a sufficient amount of it on those parts of your skin which are often exposed to the sun such as face, neck, hands, arms and feet.
• Not reapplying often enough: Even if you wear a water-resistant/sweat-resistant sunscreen of SPF 30, you should reapply your sunscreen every 2-3 hours, especially after swimming or perspiring.
• SPF values: Many people think that SPF values can be added while actually it cannot be. For eg, if you are using a sunscreen of SPF 15 and then of 10, you will not have the added advantage or protection of 25, but will be getting the protection of SPF 15 only.
• Wearing low SPF while outdoor: If you are going out in the sun, make sure that you wear a high SPF of 30 or above, which is sweatproof and waterproof. However, if you wear a low SPF you should reappy it more often.
• Using sunscreen that has only UVB protection: Always wear a sunscreen that has protection for both UVB/UVA rays. Because UVA can cause long-term effects such as premature skin ageing whereas UVB can caue sunburn.

Source: zee news