Summertime means spending days outside basking in the sun’s glorious warmth and enjoying activities in the great outdoors. But before you let the sun’s golden rays wrap around your skin, take a moment and review these essential sun protection tips to keep your skin safe while you soak in the summer sunshine.
1.A Shining Start to Sun Protection
The sun’s shining rays can be a double-edged sword. While we need it to survive, it can also be harmful to our health if we’re not properly protected.
But don’t worry. There are easy steps you can take to start properly protecting your skin from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays.
- Use sunscreen! Sunscreen blocks out the UV rays that can cause skin irritation, discoloration, wrinkles, dryness and even cancer.
- Seek shade during the peak sun hours, which is typically from 10am to 4pm.
- Wear a hat or sunglasses, they’ll help shield your face and eyes from the sun’s rays.
- Minimize sun exposure if it’s intense. They type and intensity of the sun’s rays change from day to day and even hour to hour.
Take some simple precautions to protect your skin from all the negative effects of the sun and you’ll be off to a shining start to sun protection.
Be sure to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 each time you go outdoors, and reapply it every two hours. If you’re swimming or sweating, you’ll need to reapply your sunscreen even more often.
2.Slather Up: Applying the Right SPF
When applying sun protection to your skin, it’s important to choose the right SPF. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and is calculated by multiplying the amount of time for HIV will take to burn your skin.
When selecting an SPF, consider the following three factors:
- SPF Strength: Choose an SPF that is strong enough to protect you from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Anything below 15 SPF is not recommended.
- Season & Environment: Bright sunshine tends to be strong in the summer months and higher altitudes, so you might need a higher SPF. Conversely, lower altitudes and colder climates may require a lower SPF.
- Skin Type: People with fair skin tend to burn easier and should opt for a higher SPF. However, those with darker skin tones might need a lower SPF. When in doubt, dermatologists recommend 30-50 SPF as an ideal level of protection.
When applying your SPF, make sure that you apply a uniform layer to all areas of exposed skin. Apply at least 30 minutes before going outside and reapply after swimming or sweating. Remember to pay attention to frequently exposed areas like the face, neck, hands, and arms.
Finally, keep in mind that SPF is only one way to protect yourself against sunburn and skin damage. To maximize your protection, cover up by wearing a hat and clothing that covers your skin, and use caution in the sun.
3.Stay Covered and Smart in the Sun
Whenever the sun comes out, it’s important to remember simple sun safety tips – and it’s always better to be safe than sorry:
- Wear sun protective clothing, such as a wide-brimmed hat and tightly-woven, light-coloured clothing that covers your skin.
- Apply (and re-apply regularly) broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 or more.
- Seek shade where you can: under trees, awnings, umbrellas – all help to reduce your exposure to UV radiation.
- Avoid sun exposure during peak periods, usually 10am-4pm.
Other simple steps can make you safer in the sun and smart about sun safety. Consider tinted window film for your car; if you’re driving, didn’t you know tinted windows can block up to 99% of UV rays! Or, if you love to get out and about on the open road, wear a special UV-protective driving visor.
For extra protection, you can think about investing in sunglasses that offer good UV protection. Wrap-around lenses are an especially good choice, as they help keep UV rays from reaching the eye from the sides and top.
So don’t forget: use these simple tips to !
4.Taking it to the Next Level: Your Total Sun Protection Plan
Sun Protection Basics
Sun protection is one of the most important strategies for keeping skin healthy and preventing skin cancer. It’s important to understand the basics of skin protection before moving on to details. Start by wearing sun protective clothing. Make sure to choose clothing that blocks UV rays, such as long pants and long sleeved shirts. Additionally, care should be taken to avoid direct sunlight during peak sun hours, which occurs between 10:00am and 4:00pm. Finally, wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater before and during sun exposure helps to protect you from harmful rays.
Additional Sun Protection Strategies
Taking your sun protection plan up a level requires that you take additional measures. Additional protective measures that can be taken include:
- Wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses when outdoors
- Using extra care when at altitudes of 5,000 feet or greater
- Using surplus sunscreen when in the water
- Staying in the shade as much as possible
These additional measures can help protect your skin from harmful radiation when combined with the basic strategies described above.
Indoor Sun Protection
It’s important to remember that the sun contributes to skin damage even when you’re indoors. This is because UV radiation can penetrate through windows and reflect off surfaces and furniture. Consider using window coverings, or finding ways to limit the amount of sunlight coming in. Additionally, using a broad-spectrum sunscreen when outdoors and when at home helps keep your skin protected.
UV Monitoring
Finally, monitoring for UV exposure is an important part of staying protected from the sun. There are a variety of resources available, such as monitoring apps and websites, to help you track the levels of UV radiation in your area. Knowing the UV level allows you to plan outdoor activities and alerts you when sun protective measures are necessary. With regular monitoring, you can improve your sun protection plan and optimize your safety.
Now you’re armed with the knowledge of how to protect your skin from sun exposure, you can hit the beach or park safely, confident that your covering up will help you keep that beautiful, healthy, sun-protected complexion! All in all, following these simple tips will go a long way toward keeping your skin safe and healthy. So don’t forget the sunscreen, keep hydrated, and enjoy the sunshine!
