Living your normal lifestyle means you can’t avoid exposing your skin to the sun. Repeated sun exposure adds up over the years and puts you in danger for carcinoma . So protecting your skin from the sun is vital year round, even on cloudy days. But using sunscreen isn’t enough because no sunscreen—no matter how high the SPF—can provide 100% protection. That’s why you would like a mixture of sun protection measures.
1. Use Sunscreen
Your skin is exposed to the sun a day , so sunscreen isn’t only for the beach. Use a daily broad-spectrum—blocking UVA and UVB rays —sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher on all exposed areas. And choose cosmetics and lip balms with SPF. For beach days, use water-resistant sunscreens with higher SPFs. Remember to use sunscreen liberally half-hour before sun exposure, reapply every few hours and even more frequently after swimming or sweating, and check the expiration date.
2. Seek Shade
The sun’s rays are strongest between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.—when your shadow is shorter than you. attempt to schedule outdoor activities within the hours before or after this point . If you want to be within the sun during these hours, seek shade—trees, umbrellas and shelters—as often as possible. If you believe an umbrella for shade at the beach, find one with a UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) of 30 or more.
3. Cover Up
In the water, consider wearing a rash guard rather than a t-shirt. Wet t-shirts offer far less UV protection than dry ones. Rash guards are made from polyester and a stretchy material, and lots of have a built-in UPF. If you aren’t within the water, cover with loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and long trousers . Tightly woven materials in dark colors provide more protection than loosely woven materials or lighter colors. And check clothing labels for UPF information. you would like materials with a UPF of a minimum of 30.
4. Wear Hats
The face, ears, scalp and neck are common areas to seek out carcinoma . Give these areas extra protection with a wide-brimmed hat. search for a brim that’s three inches or more all the way around. Or choose a shade cap with fabric within the back to hide your ears and neck. Like clothing, tightly woven materials in dark colors provide greater protection. If you’ll see through the weave, the UV rays can get through it.
5. Sport Sunglasses
Sun exposure can lead to cataracts and damage the delicate skin around your eyes. Sunglasses will do double duty by protecting your vision and your skin. For sunglasses, darker doesn’t necessarily mean better protection. Dark tints only reduce the intensity of the nontoxic visible light with no blockage of the invisible UV rays. Larger frames or wrap-around glasses provide the best protection. And look for labels that specify the UVA and UVB coverage or that meet ANSI (American National Standards Institute) requirements. Don’t make any assumptions about sunglasses that aren’t labeled.
6. Heed the Daily UV Index
The daily UV index is usually a part of your local weather outlook . The index estimates the danger of overexposure to the sun on a scale from one to 11+. a better number indicates greater risk. A UV alert means the UV index in your area is predicted to be six or greater—which is high—and unusually intense for the time of year. Be extra cautious or choose indoor activities if your area is under a UV alert.
7. Take care About Reflection
Certain surfaces reflect the sun and intensify your exposure to UV rays. Any time you’re around water, sand or snow, you would like to believe reflection. It greatly increases the prospect that you simply will sunburn. make certain to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen to all or any exposed areas, including your lips.
