The average woman spends a significant amount of money, $313 monthly to be exact, on products and services that are used to enhance one’s appearance.
Many of these purchases can be physically and monetarily taxing, such as exhaustive gym memberships that require monthly payments or painful facial sessions. But what if there was a way to make a one-time purchase on an item that not only has been clinically proven to make you look more attractive but has also been shown to provide you with critical health benefits?
What is the simple item that fits that role? Well, you may have guessed it from the title—sunglasses.
While most people enjoy the ‘look’ of wearing sunglasses, many people are unaware of the wide array of health benefits that sunglasses may provide.
What Are You Protecting Your Eyes From?
While sunglasses are useful for preventing aerial debris from contacting your eyes, the most important feature they provide are their ability to block UVA and UVB light. As the eyes absorb the sun’s UV light over the course of one’s lifetime, the risk for developing cataracts, macular degeneration and skin cancer of the eyelid increases significantly.
The first thing you should know when it comes to picking the right sunglasses is that not all provide equal health benefits. Contrary to popular assumption, neither the degree of tint nor the level of polarization matters when it comes to protecting your eyes.
Rebecca Taylor, an ophthalmologist and spokeswoman for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, stated that “the most important thing is that the sunglasses block 99 to 100% of UVA and UVB rays.” The ability of a pair of sunglasses to block harmful UV rays is often advertised in the form of a sticker or tag denoting “UV Protection,” which may be attached to the sunglasses.
Furthermore, the size of the frames is of utmost importance. And, as you may assume, the larger the frames the greater the level of protection.
In addition to keeping your eyes healthy, sunglasses will also add symmetry to your face—a key factor in making you look more attractive.
“Looking Good and Feeling Good Go Hand in Hand” — Jason Statham
Across different cultures, standards and perceptions of ‘beauty’ may greatly vary. Yet, one of the few characteristics that is able to transcend cultural barriers is the perception of symmetry and its influence on beauty.
According to Psychology Today, “researchers have confirmed that we rate faces that are more symmetrical as more attractive than those with less symmetry.” Sunglasses are unique among other accessories because they are able to augment the symmetry of a person’s face.
By wearing sunglasses, a person is able to add an element of symmetry to their face while also hiding blemishes in the skin around their eyes. The end result is a greater likelihood of being perceived as attractive. This can help to boost one’s level of self-confidence, which may lead to performance in social settings and a reduced level of anxiety.
How a person feels when they wear sunglasses is undoubtedly influenced by various historical figures and celebrities who have become quintessential figureheads for the ‘cool factor’ that sunglasses personify.
For example, the history of aviator glasses can be traced back to World War II pilots who bravely defended America across the skies of Europe and the Pacific. Similarly, the desire to imitate the style of shades worn by movie stars and politicians from Marilyn Monroe to President John F. Kennedy created frenzies at local sunglass shops across America.
Whether you’re enticed by the health benefits that sunglasses provide, or if you prefer to wear them for the cool factor they exhibit, you stand to benefit from both attributes. On Sunday, June 27, National Sunglasses Day, put on your favorite pair of sunglasses and step out into the sun with newfound confidence and bliss.
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