The Reasons Why Sunscreen is Important

This past week Hubs and I took a vacation to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We stayed at the Coral Beach Resort and loved our time there. The accommodations were great and the staff was outstanding. We had spectacular weather with sunshine every day, which generally never happens when we are on vacation. I love the beach, and I was ready to soak up some Vitamin D that my body truly lacks. But I learned a few years ago the sun doesn’t love me as much as I love it. There are several reasons why sunscreen is important. Over time, I have learned the importance and effects of sunscreen physically and SONscreen spiritually.

Summers of Sunburns

Growing up, I couldn’t wait for summer vacation. My summer vacation days were spent outside playing until dark. When the sun came up I was awake and my brother and I would walk to the neighborhood to play softball, eat PBJ’s, BBQ chips and drink Kool-Aid. I don’t remember using sunscreen as a child because I grew up in a time and place where we didn’t know much about the sun’s effects on the skin.

As teenagers, we would lay in the sun for hours in hopes of getting that glorious golden tan which never happened for me. My white fair complexion gave me lots of freckles and sunburns, but no tan. People used to say if you had a tan, it made you healthy looking. However, now we know tans are not healthy; they are just an indication of damaged skin. In fact, our version of sunscreen was baby oil and lots of it!

I don’t ever remember using sunscreen, but I do remember lots of sunburns. I had some nasty sunburns too, with huge blisters followed by peeling skin. Yuck! Little did I know I was cooking myself with the help of the sun. If you have ever had a sunburn, you will know what I mean when I say that sunburns are painful. They can take the fun out of a vacation in a hurry! Too much sun has made me sick on more than one occasion. Unfortunately, I learned the hard way the reasons why sunscreen is important.

What is on My Nose?

In 2012 I noticed this little spot the size of a pinhead on my nose which I thought I had accidentally scratched. However, after I thought it had healed, it came back. After the second round of healing and the spot returning once again, I decided to get it checked out. I made an appointment with my family doctor who referred me to a dermatologist who performed a biopsy and confirmed it was basal cell carcinoma.

Good News and Bad News

The good news is, basal cell carcinoma is the least dangerous of skin cancers. The bad news was I had to have it taken care of before it became worse. After discussing the alternatives with my doctor, I decided I would have Mohs surgery. Mohs surgery is a procedure where a layer of skin tissue at a time is taken from the affected area and tested until it is clear of cancer. The good news is when you leave the doctor’s office after having Mohs surgery, you know your cancer is gone versus having your doctor remove a spot and waiting for test results to come back only to find out you may have to go back again.

Now, I am being brave and sharing the most unflattering picture of myself and my nose after the surgery. Can you tell I was on some big-time pain killers?  This picture reminds me every day the reasons why sunscreen is important. Remember, this started out the size of a pinhead and now I could see inside my nasal cavity.

 

Get Out of Here, Cancer!

I’m being honest when I say the whole experience was traumatic for me. My cancer ended up being the size of a dime at the end of my nose. It was much larger, deeper, and broader than anticipated. I don’t ever want to relive that nightmare again. I’m glad I had the Mohs surgery and knew it was gone when I left the office that day. Your nose is a very sensitive area, and something people see when they look at you. Plus, I was getting married in six weeks, which meant wedding pictures, so I needed healing in a hurry!

The Reasons Why Sunscreen is Important

Since then, I have learned a lot about the importance and effects of sunscreen and more importantly, what SPF means. SPF stands for sun protection factor. I am not a doctor, but basically what I have learned is that applying sunscreen and reapplying sunscreen is the most important thing for your skin if you are out in the sun for any amount of time. It is also recommended to use a broad spectrum and a water-resistant sunscreen. Sunscreen will help keep you from getting burned, but a hat, sunglasses, and an umbrella will help in protecting your skin too! We have come a long way in providing solutions in protecting our skin from the sun. Now, these swim shirts and Tees are very popular and provide great protection for every member of your family.  Here is a helpful article I found to understand the rating system behind SPF.

The Importance of  Spiritual SONscreen

However, I have also learned the importance of and need for my spiritual SONscreen every day too! Each day we go out into the elements of this world which would love to burn you. If I don't put on my sunscreen, I am at risk for more cancer, and if I don't put on my spiritual SONscreen I am at risk for developing spiritual cancer in my soul. Share on XIf I don’t put on my sunscreen, I am putting myself at risk for more cancer, and if I don’t put on my spiritual SONscreen, I am at risk for developing spiritual cancer in my soul. We all have to take personal responsibility for doing what is best to protect ourselves.

Spiritual Protection Factors

This is why it is important to pray, listen, and meditate upon God’s Word. The more I know and learn about God, the more I can protect myself from getting burned by this world. Our skin is sensitive, but our soul is even more delicate. The important thing to remember is to keep applying and reapplying throughout the day. What better way to protect your soul than reading a devotional that you can apply while at the beach.

Sunscreen has an SPF number and the higher the number, the longer you are protected from the sun’s rays, but you must reapply because if you swim or sweat, your protection is at risk. We also have an SPF number I call the Spiritual Protection Factor. The more we know, apply and reapply Jesus to our everyday lives, the more we are protected by the SON!

SonScreen Works!

Did you know there is a sunscreen with an SPF number of 100? It doesn’t mean you are 100 percent protected, but it will help fight against those pesky sun rays if you keep reapplying. The good news is when you use your spiritual protection factor or SPF and apply your SonScreen God always keeps you protected by the promises of His word. When we continually reapply, it protects us from an outside world that wants to burn us and cause us to hurt in profound ways.

Apply Daily for Best Results

It isn’t enough that we protect ourselves, but also our loved ones by reminding them of the reasons why sunscreen is important, especially our children. In the same way, we must help them apply their SONscreen by being examples and encouraging them daily.

Protect Your Body and Soul

The next time you go out the door on a sunny or cloudy day, don’t forget to take and apply your sunscreen to protect your body and SON screen to protect your soul! All it takes is a few minutes, and it will save you a lot of pain now and in the years to come.