Hey guys, I tried something new today, and I gotta say, it got me thinking. I’ve always heard that a thick beard could offer some sun protection, but I wasn’t really sure how much. So, I put it to the test.
I started by doing some digging around. I found this study from the University of Southern Queensland that basically said, yeah, beards offer some protection, but it’s not a replacement for sunscreen. I mean, it makes sense, right? Hair can reflect some of those UV rays, but it’s not like it’s gonna block them out completely. I also learned that sunscreen, while it does a great job filtering UV rays, it doesn’t completely block them. Even SPF30 filters only 96.7% and SPF50 filters 98% of the UV radiation, so those rays are still getting through, beard or no beard.
So, here’s what I did. I got myself some SPF50 sunscreen, the good stuff. I know from what I read that they test this stuff by putting 2 milligrams per square centimeter on people’s backs and shining a UV lamp on them. That’s some serious testing! I applied it all over, making sure to cover every bit of skin that wasn’t hidden under my clothes – you know, face, ears, neck, the whole shebang. And of course, I didn’t forget my beard area.
But here’s the thing, even with sunscreen, I could still feel the sun on my face. It wasn’t as intense, but it was there. So I got to thinking, if sunscreen is filtering most of the UV rays, and my beard is offering a little extra protection, how much is actually getting through? I figured it’s a combined effect, like layering up. And I also think it probably depends on how thick and dense your beard is. Mine’s pretty bushy, so I guess I’ve got a bit more of a shield than someone with a patchy beard.
Here’s what I realized: Even with my thick beard, I can’t skip the sunscreen. It’s like wearing a hat – it helps, but it’s not enough on its own. You need that extra layer of protection from the sunscreen to really keep those harmful rays at bay. And honestly, it’s better to be safe than sorry. I’m not taking any chances when it comes to sun damage.
So, my takeaway from this little experiment? Beards are cool, they might offer a little bit of sun protection, but they’re not a magic shield. Keep using that sunscreen, folks, even if you’ve got a face full of fur. Your skin will thank you later!
