Protect Your Skin From Over Exposure To The Sun
Protecting your skin from over exposure to the sun is vital as we approach summer. Most skin cancer can be avoided by paying extra close attention in making sure our skin is properly shielded from the sun especially during the hot, long summer days. Guarding your skin will also help prevent from the prematurity of wrinkles. Lord knows we all love the sun, and it always seems to bring about a cheery countenance to us all, but there are important rules to follow since skin cancer is most common, and indeed, no laughing matter.
Ways To Avoid Sun Exposure
Obviously, the best way to avoid a sunburn is to avoid sun exposure. But knowing which daylight hours that are the sun’s most intensity is just as important. Staying out of the midday sun from 10 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon is safest. You should always have shade available should you intend or need to be outdoors. You can also calculate how much ultraviolet (UV) exposure you are getting by using the shadow rule: A shadow that is longer than you are means UV exposure is low; a shadow that is shorter than you are means the UV exposure is high. Additionally, it should be noted to be especially cautious of cloudy days. These are sometimes the most deceiving of all since many people mistakenly think they are safe when the sun isn’t exposed, but this is quite the opposite. One can become terribly sunburned on a very cloudy day and becomes even more intensified nearer to water or on a boat.
Other ways to protect yourself from the sun includes wearing protective clothing, such as:
- Hats with wide 4 inch (10 cm) brims that cover your neck, ears, eyes, and scalp.
- Sunglasses with UV ray protection.
- Loose-fitting clothing that covers your arms and legs.
Protecting Children From Sun Exposure
You should start protecting your children from the sun when they are a baby. Their skin is most fragile, and because they spend a lot of time outdoors playing, they get most of their lifetime sun exposure in their first 18 years. Babies should avoid sun all together for at least the first 6 months; and if sunscreen is needed, a small amount can be applied evenly. In addition, it is important in teaching your children the ABCs of how to protect their own skin from sun damage.
Sunscreen Protection
Many times, sun cannot be avoided, and it is those times that sun protection factor (SPF) should be applied of 30 SPF or higher. As a rule of thumb, apply the sun block 30 minutes before going into the sun or water. Apply sunscreen generously and evenly to all exposed areas of the skin including the nose, ears, neck, scalp, and lips. Reapply sunscreen every 2 to 3 hours while in the sun and after swimming or heavily sweating. Sunscreens come in lotions, gels, creams, and ointments.
Lip Balm
Lip Balm is very important in preventing chapped, chafed, cracked, and sunburned lips. Your lips are very sensitive and should be treated the same as your skin. There are many lip balms on the market with a high SPF, and it is highly recommended to always wear lip balm any time you are outdoors.
Tanning Beds
Tanning beds can cause wrinkles, skin damage, and increase the risk of skin cancer as well, and therefore, should be avoided. Should sun burn occur, Aloe Vera is one of the best natural remedies for its healing properties as well as for its cooling affect. Aloe Vera is also a wonderful moisturizer to apply to your skin any time after a day outdoors since the wind, sun, and heat can severely dry and crack your skin.
There are many ways to safely enjoy the summer and outdoors if we properly prepare, and always remember to follow these crucial rules.
Wishing everyone a safe and happy summer!
-written by Angela Doss