Don't Let Sun Exposure Make Scars Worse

(ARA) - You diligently apply sunscreen to protect your skin whenever you are outdoors. But did you know that the scrapes and cuts that can accompany outdoor activities require a little extra TLC to ensure the sun doesn't further damage injured skin?

The American Academy of Dermatology advises that you should treat a scar as soon as possible and always wear a high level sun block because the sun can make the scar darker. Protecting skin from the sun usually involves using a sunscreen with an SPF or "sun protection factor."

How does SPF work? If it takes 20 minutes for your unprotected skin to start turning red; using an SPF 15 sunscreen theoretically prevents reddening 15 times longer, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.

According to the Outdoor Industry Foundation, women tend to do fewer outdoor jobs than men, but that doesn't mean they're not spending time outdoors. Women usually spend time outside either for recreation or exercise. Foundation research shows that 61 percent of women in the U.S. currently participate in outdoor recreation.

Women cite their top five favorite outdoor activities as:

* Road biking
* Camping
* Backpacking
* Hiking
* Paddle sports

All this outdoor activity can often lead to accidental cuts, scrapes and other injuries that can create scars. Since the sun can make scarring worse, it makes sense to protect a scar from the sun while it's healing. New Mederma Cream + SPF 30 combines the scar-healing qualities of Mederma with SPF 30. The new moisture-rich cream formula lessens the appearance of scars resulting from cuts and scrapes, surgeries, injuries, accidents, burns, acne and stretch marks while also protecting them from the sun's harmful rays. Mederma Cream + SPF 30 can also be used as a sunscreen and moisturizer for the face and neck.

To help treat your scars remember three rules: minimize sun exposure, keep scars protected and apply sunscreen often. For more information, visit www.mederma.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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