When the sun comes out, you might find yourself reaching for your bathing suits, shorts, or summer dresses. No matter if you are heading off on vacation or planning a day trip to the beach, there are many ways to enjoy the warmer weather.
But this can be a bit of a double-edged sword. With warmer weather, you will likely expose more skin to the sun, and this can increase your risk of developing skin cancer or prematurely aged skin. This is why it is crucial to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself from the sun.
In this post, three of the best tips have been outlined to ensure you protect yourself from the sun effectively.
Apply Sunscreen
One of the best and most common methods to protect your skin from the sun is by applying sunscreen. Applying sunscreen is vital for protecting yourself from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which could result in premature aging, severe sunburn, and skin cancer.
Sunscreen acts as a barrier for your skin, either absorbing or reflecting the sun’s UV rays before they can damage skin cells. Although most people will use sunscreen when they are outside during the summer, it should be used on a daily basis to reduce the risks of sun damage. However, it was found that only 12% of men and 29% of women aged 18 and over applied sunscreen when outside on a sunny day for at least one hour.
To ensure adequate protection, apply roughly six to eight teaspoons of sunscreen, especially if covering your entire body. Applying too little can reduce the amount of protection, but this can be increased by using a sunscreen with a higher SPF.
Wear Protective Clothing
As sunscreen can be unreliable and short-lived, wearing the right clothes can offer coverage that doesn’t need to be reapplied regularly. In fact, dermatologists believe that protective clothing is the first line of defense against sun damage, with synthetic and semisynthetic fibers being the best choices.
The type of clothing you wear will offer differing levels of sun protection, though. For example, a white cotton t-shirt allows 20% of UV rays to pass through due to its low Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of five. The UPF rating is the clothing equivalent of sunscreen’s SPF and indicates how much UV radiation a fabric will block.
Long-sleeved shirts and long trousers should be prioritized during sunny days to protect your skin from sun damage adequately. You should also select items made of tightly woven fabrics, as they provide more protection than those made of loosely woven ones. It is also encouraged to wear a hat to shade your ears, face, and/or neck, like those made by Ambler, and sunglasses to protect your eyes.
Stay in the Shade
Preventing sun damage can also be achieved by seeking shade, especially during the afternoon when UV rays are strongest. This is usually between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., which are considered peak hours, so it is advised to see shade structures like canopies and trees during this time. The level of protection offered will vary depending on the type of shade you use.
However, this method should be used in conjunction with the others mentioned in this post, as sitting in the shade will not offer complete protection against the sun. For example, trees will offer less consistent coverage than a solid roof, allowing more UV rays to pass through. Plus, the UV radiation can reflect off other surfaces, such as sand and water, to reach your skin even in the shade.
To conclude, there are several ways to protect your skin from the sun, but it is important to remember that using multiple methods can provide the most effective protection.
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