Protect Your Skin! 5 Ways to Enjoy the Sun without Worrying About Your Skin
With summer in full swing, many of us are spending our time outdoors. Whether you hit the beach or go hiking every weekend, being outside means you’re soaking up the sun’s rays. While it is known to boost vitamin D levels in your body, too much sun can also be dangerous. If you’re not careful, you risk the damaging skin cells by getting burned or, which, in extreme cases, can lead to skin cancer. It is important to protect your skin to prolong your life. Here are five measures to prevent skin risks while enjoying the last days of summer.
1. Wear sunscreen.
The most common skin-protection item, sunscreen is essential to put on before leaving the house. If you know that you will be outside for fifteen minutes or more, apply at least SPF 15. Choose a broad spectrum brand that blocks both UVA and UVB rays, and make sure to reapply every two hours all over your body—more frequently if you are swimming or sweating a lot.
- Hats, hats, hats.
Besides covering your body, why not also protect your head? The sun penetrates your scalp as well, so protecting the top of your head is important for your skin’s health. Plus, there are many different types of hats to choose from, so you can get stylish with your sun protection. Whether you decide on a baseball cap or a wide-brimmed hat, any style help you enjoy your sun time without causing any damage.
- Put on sunglasses.
Sure, you have covered your face by applying sunscreen and wearing a hat, but what about your eyes? Your eyes are one of the most sensitive parts of your body and, if they’re frequently exposed to the sun they can have problems such as dry eyes, cataracts, and even macular degeneration. Like sunscreen, choose sunglasses that protect from both UVA and UVB rays, as well as contain UV 400 protection (which blocks light rays of up to 400 nanometers).
- Choose protective clothing.
You do not necessarily need to purchase specific clothing for the sun, but it might be a good investment. On average, a regular shirt has an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of about 7, which is usually acceptable for wearing outdoors. However, some specialized UPF clothing can have protection as high as 60, or even 115. Generally speaking, wear clothes that cover most of your body (long-sleeve shirts, long pants), and try to wear thicker, more vibrant-colored clothing. Bright colors tend to absorb UV rays better than thinner, pale-colored ones.
- Avoid being out at certain times.
Although you might want to head out to the beach to soak up the sun in the afternoon, be aware that the most harmful rays tend to be present between the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. By waiting until the sun is less strong, you will still be able to enjoy the outdoors without worrying about skin damage. Plus, why not check out the gorgeous sunset (or sunrise) in the meantime?
