10 places on your body you didn't realize could get sunburned
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Even though there's an overwhelming body of research that proves how dangerous sun exposure can be, too few of us adequately apply sunscreen regularly. This leads to potential sun damage and skin cancer that’s otherwise avoidable by properly protecting our skin.
But even if you are diligent about daily sunscreen use, there’s a solid chance you're not covering all the body parts you should be, leading to sunburns in areas you didn't think could get burned.
Here are 10 body parts you're forgetting to apply sunscreen too, and why it's important to remember them.
Your scalp and hair
Astrid Stawiarz/GettyIt's a dangerous myth that certain body parts don’t burn in the sun. Whether you've got waist-length locks or are totally bald on top, you need to protect your hair and scalp from UV rays emitted by the sun.
The good news is, you don't need to apply goopy, thick sunscreens to your mane in order to protect it because there are plenty of products out there designed with this very concern in mind.
"UV rays can make hair brittle and appear frayed," explained New York City dermatologist Kavita Mariwalla to Allure magazine. "Sunlight is drying and can lighten hair simply from exposure, [and] your scalp, like any other skin on the body, is susceptible to skin cancer."
Choose from a plethora of hair mists, oils, and protective sprays that contain SPF to protect strands from the sun’s harsh rays. For even better protection, wear a hat and sit in the shade when possible.
The back of your neck
Zoe/FlickrSimilarly, if you've got hair that covers the back of your neck, it's easy to forget to protect this area. But your hair isn’t an adequate enough protective measure — even though you can’t see it, you’ve got to protect it properly.
"Sun-exposed areas ― which often are the head and neck ― [are] where the majority of all skin cancers occur,” Orit Markowitz, associate professor of dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai told HuffPost.
You already know to cover your back in its entirety, especially because your risk of melanoma skyrockets if you burn on your back. But don’t forget to reach a little higher to protect your neck, too.
Your armpits
MRAORAOR/ShutterstockIt’s strangely easy to miss your armpits when you're applying sunscreen, but you definitely shouldn't. Any skin that isn't normally exposed to the sun is extra susceptible to burning, and your pits are no exception. Apply it before deodorant or antiperspirant, giving skin enough time to absorb the product, and be sure to reapply frequently.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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