Many students at Ponte Vedra High School (PVHS) spend hours in the blazing heat of the Florida sun, whether it is for a sport or any outdoor activity. Even though sunscreen may seem to be an important part of being outside, many students have different habits when it comes to applying it. Some students have a habit of applying it every day, while others only do it when they are in the sun for hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ali Colteryahn, a senior at PVHS, explained that she only wears sunscreen when she is at the pool or beach. She said, \u201cI wear sunscreen in order to protect my skin and prevent skin cancer. Even though I should wear it every day, I don\u2019t wear it unless I know I will be tanning or out in the sun for a long period of time.\u201d She typically forgets to reapply it, which can sometimes lead to her getting a sunburn. She also explained her experience getting a bad sunburn, saying, \u201cIt was very uncomfortable and make my skin very sensitive. I also noticed that my skin was red and sore for a few days. After that, I realized how important it is to reapply it when I am outside for a long time.\u201d She is familiar with the side effects of excessive amounts of sun exposure and explained that too much of it can damage one\u2019s skin and cause premature aging. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to med.stanford.edu, \u201cWhile the sun\u2019s rays provide our planet with vital warmth and life-sustaining energy, they also have a downside: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can penetrate our skin and damage our cells.\u201d The UVA rays from the sun can lead to wrinkles, skin cancer, and an uneven skin tone. For those who apply too little sunscreen, it is recommended that they wear sunscreen with a higher sun protection factor, or SPF, rating because it will provide more sufficient protection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI wear sunscreen in order to protect my skin and prevent skin cancer. Even though I should wear it every day, I don\u2019t wear it unless I know I will be tanning or out in the sun for a long period of time.\u201d<\/p>Ali colteryahn<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Hannah Hosseini, a junior at PVHS, said that she usually applies sunscreen right before going to the beach, but forgets to put on more later. She explained that she does not burn easily but instead tans quicker. She said, \u201cI have gotten burnt before, but it wasn\u2019t too bad. It only burnt the top of my shoulders, and it didn\u2019t hurt very much.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n For Georgia Trembath, a senior at PVHS, applying sunscreen is a daily habit. She explained that she wears a light sunscreen with her moisturizer every day because she burns quickly. When she is out in the sun for more than an hour, she always remembers to wear sunscreen. She explained that after having a painful sunburn on her back, she started becoming more consistent in applying sunscreen because she realized how important it is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Catherine Stoltz, a senior at PVHS, explained that while she does put on sunscreen sometimes, she does not always remember to put it on. She typically applies it when she goes outside at first, but then later does not reapply it. She said when she is outside for a long time or when it\u2019s very sunny, she\u2019s more likely to wear it. She stated, \u201cI have gotten a really bad sunburn before, and it made me wish that I had put sunscreen on. I know that too much sun can damage your skin, causing skin cancer and your skin to age faster.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Abby Shin, a senior at PVHS, consistently wears sunscreen in the summer, especially while playing softball. She said, \u201cWith my softball uniforms, if I don\u2019t put on sunscreen then I will start to peel. I also reapply it on an hourly basis throughout the day.\u201d She said that she has had a painful sunburn on her face and shoulders, which made her realize that it is essential for her skin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some sunscreen brands may seem safe to use, but it is important to pay attention to the ingredients in them. According to sundoctors.com.au, \u201cHow sunscreen works is that, depending on their ingredients, they either absorb, reflect, or scatter UV radiation. By forming a protective barrier, sunscreen helps reduce the risk of sunburn, as well as premature aging and long-tern skin damage.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n It is also important to notice the ingredients in chemical and physical sunscreens. According to sundoctors.com.au, \u201cChemical sunscreen protects the body by converting UV radiation into heat, which is then released from the body. As the name suggests, chemical sunscreens can have many chemicals that protect the skin from the sun. Some of the common ingredients to look for are benzophenone, oxybenzone, octinoxate, benzotrialoles, cinnamates, and PABAs.\u201d Physical sunscreen uses ingredients that protect the skin from UV radiation because they contain ingredients that reflect sunlight from the skin or block it. Some key ingredients in sunscreen that are good for the skin include avobenzone, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and octocrylene. However, some ingredients to avoid are fragrance and parabens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These students at PVHS realized the long-term risks of not protecting their skin. When students spend time outdoors for vacation, summer activities, or sports, having a habit of wearing sunscreen regularly is vital for their health. After having negative experiences with sunburns, they became more aware of the importance of wearing sunscreen. Remembering to wear it can make a significant difference in the long term for their future health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Graphic by Aden Seelbinder<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By: Lucia Gabriel Many students at Ponte Vedra High School (PVHS) spend hours in the blazing heat of the Florida sun, whether it is for a sport or any outdoor activity. 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