The Trilogy-The Interview
Senior man Sunscreen sits on his patio, facing the waves lapping the shore.
He has a serene look on his face, but if the rumours I heard were true, then I’m sure there’s more to this display of calmness.
He offers me a seat facing him, and after exchanging warm pleasantries, I waste no time in asking my first question.
Agent Jay: Well Mr Sunscreen, till this day you remain a mystery to some. Can you tell us more about yourself? 🤔
Senior Sunscreen: I get this a lot, folks come up to me and ask me what does SPF mean and what does it even do? I answer, couldn’t find any answer on Google, could ya?
But anyway, let me break me down. 😎
Literally speaking, I screen you from the sun.
Why, you may ask? Because the rays from the sun, though a supply of vitamin D, can also be harmful to your skin.
That’s where I come in. To protect you from sunburn, skin damage, and most importantly, lower your risk of skin cancer.
AJ: So what would you say about those that insist you are a cause of vitamin D deficiency?
SS: Only hoodlums and bandits would think such. I bet it’s those two siblings that are propagating such lies. 😒
AJ: What siblings?
SS: The two sibling rays of course! Ultraviolet A-rays and Ultraviolet B-rays, UVA and UVB for short. UVA makes up 95% of the sun’s rays while its twin completes the remaining 5%.
UVB attacks the top layers of your skin, while UVA can reach the deeper layers of your skin.
Overexposure to these rays results in an increased risk of skin cancer, aging, wrinkles and loss of elasticity of the skin (for more info on the harmful effects of UV rays, please click here)
That’s what I protect people from. However, if you apply too much of me and also hide every inch of your skin from the sun, then there may be a chance of reducing your vitamin D levels, but if I’m used correctly, then there’s no problem.
There are other sources of vitamin D apart from the sun. And weighing the benefits against the risks, I’d say the risks are more without me on your face.
AJ: I see. So how can we be sure that you truly protect us from the rays?
SS: That’s where SPF comes in. Sun Protection Factor. 📌
It’s more of a measurement. ‘How much of the sun does this sunscreen protect you from?’ I think when you put it that way, it’s easier to understand.
Do you see those different numbers written on the body of a sunscreen? 15, 30, 45, 90, 100 — they all have their meaning.
A sunscreen with 15 can block out about 93% of sun rays, while sunscreens with 50 or 100 blocks out 98% and 99% of sun rays respectively.
I always advise people to use a minimum of SPF 30, which blocks out 97% of rays.
Also, look out for sunscreens that are labelled ‘broad-spectrum’ because that means it protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
AJ: Some people have debunked your usefulness. They claim to have spent years in the sun without using you and have had no issues at all. They feel you’re just an unnecessary debit alert. 🤷♀️ What would you say to them?
SS: Yes I won’t deny I haven’t heard of such, despite how unpleasant it sounds in my ear every time.
You see, the skin’s a tough guy. Very strong, protects the inner body and all that. But these rays? They’re cunning. I mean, you can’t see them, can you?
Werey creatures. They take their time, slowly and silently, breaking down the skin barrier bit by bit.
You probably won’t see their gallant efforts in 2 months or 6 months.
But looking back after a few years, or when you’ve hit the big 50, and you’re staring at a picture of a 20-year old you, you’d wish you listened to my gospel of truth. 😌
‘It’s a marathon, not a sprint.’
Senior Sunscreen heaves a sigh as he closes his eyes while drawing in the sea’s fresh breeze. Looking at the sea myself, I remember another rumour I received just that morning.
AJ: Mr Sunscreen, since we blacks have a darker skin colour, there’s not much need for us to wear sunscreens? Our melanin protects us from the rays, right?
SS: (opens one eye to stare at me) If you had asked me this while I was having my breakfast, I would have carried my cold zobo and given it to you instead.
But even before we enter into different skin colours, some do not even know what sunscreen to pick or how to even apply it properly! 🙆♂️
I glance at my wristwatch for the time and look through the questions I had written out. The day is still bright and this is turning out to be a long interview...
The Part 2 of the interview with Senior Sunscreen will be out soon. 🤗
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