Sun Protection for Your Skin in Summer

SUN PROTECTION FOR YOUR SKIN IN SUMMER.

There is no denying that summer feels terrific, especially after a harsh winter. The weather just makes you want to spend time outdoors soaking up the sun. While some sun exposure can benefit you by helping you produce vitamin D, improving your mood, and so on, the sun can also be harmful to your skin.

WHAT MAKES THE SUN HARMFUL?

The sun emits 2 types of ultraviolet rays – ultraviolet A and B – both of which have a damaging effect on your skin. However, ultraviolet A rays are the worst. These rays:

Increase your risk of developing skin cancer.

Your skin has a natural way of repairing itself from UV damage. But sun-induced aging coupled with the natural aging process reduces this self-repair ability. In addition, the repair process can also result in mutations that can lead to skin cancers. So, the more sun exposure you subject your skin too, the higher the chances of potentially cancer-causing mutations occurring.

Makes your skin age prematurely

Ultraviolet A (UVA) rays can penetrate deep into your skin and damage your skin cells and collagen. This causes your skin to age prematurely, leading to wrinkles and loose skin. According to the World Health Organization, up to 90% of the visible aging features may be caused by sun exposure.

Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays have more effect on the outer layer of your skin. It causes your skin to burn and also age prematurely. These rays are more intense during summer.

The overall effect of the sun on your skin is cumulative. The extent of the damage also depends on the sun’s intensity and your length of exposure to it. But the good news is that you can easily protect your skin from the sun.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR SKIN

The perfect way to protect your skin from sun damage is to avoid it entirely. However, it is practically impossible to achieve this.

Fortunately, research has shown that you can be exposed to the sun (in moderation) and still prevent its unfavorable effects by protecting your skin from the UV rays. So, you can enjoy your outdoor activities while limiting your risk of skin cancer and premature aging. The following tips can help protect you from the harmful effects of the sun.

Note that multiple protective measures give your skin the best protection.

Limit Your Exposure/Seek Shade When You Can.

This is probably the easiest way to avoid sun damage. You should limit the time you spend under direct sunlight, especially between 10 am and 4 pm. This is because the UV rays are most intense between these hours. You can also stay in the shade under an umbrella, tree, or other shelters to minimize your exposure.

You can check how intense the UV rays are by using the shadow rule: the shorter your shadow, the stronger the sun. Therefore, you should find shade if your shadow is shorter than you because this is when the sun's rays are at their strongest.

You should also cover babies below 6 months adequately and keep them in the shade.

Wear Appropriate Clothes.

This is another easy way to protect yourself from the harmful effects of the sun. You should endeavor to wear comfortable long-sleeved shirts/blouses and long pants/skirts whenever you’re going out. These clothes cover most of your skin and help protect you against UV rays.  Note that dark clothing with tightly woven fabrics helps you block more sun than white or loosely woven fabrics.

You can also opt for specially made UV protective clothing and swimwear to offer your skin extra protection.

Apply Sunscreen.

Sunscreen is a skincare product that prevents some of the sun’s UV radiation from getting into your skin, thereby protecting your exposed skin from UV rays. The effectiveness of sunscreen is measured in a unit known as Sun Protection Factor (SPF). SPF is a number that rates how well a sunscreen blocks UV rays. A higher SPF will protect you from a higher percentage of the sun’s UV rays.

There are 2 types of sunscreen:

1. Chemical sunscreen: uses chemical reactions to prevent UV radiation from penetrating your skin.
2. Mineral sunscreen: uses ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium oxide to create a physical barrier on your skin against UV rays.

Though both are effective, mineral sunscreens seem to be more effective at preventing skin damage and are considered safer. They are also preferred for use in children.

Sunscreen is your best bet to protect your skin, no matter where you are. However, you must apply the right type of sunscreen the right way for you to get the best protection.

Tips to get the best out of your sunscreen.

The following tips can help you get the best out of your sunscreen.

1. Specifications
   1. SPF: Use one with an SPF of at least 30 – as this protects you from up to 97% of the sun’s UV rays. SPFs greater than 50 only provide a slight increase in UV protection.
   2. Spectrum: Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects you against both UVA and UVB.
   3. Use water-resistant sunscreen when going for water activities, like swimming, so it doesn’t get washed off.
2. Application
   1. Use sunscreen every day – even on cloudy days or when you’re indoors. This is because UVA rays can pass through clouds, glass, and even curtains. So, staying indoors cannot totally protect you from these rays.
   2. You should also apply sunscreen at least 15 to 30 minutes before you head out into the sun.
3. Areas of Application
   1. Apply it on all sun-exposed areas. That includes your entire face, neck (including the back), top of your ears, and scalp where your hair is thinning or bald. You should apply it on your hands, arms, legs, and feet if they are exposed as well.
   2. You should also try to apply on parts covered by clothes as small amounts of UV rays can still pass through regular clothes.
4. Reapplication: Apply every 2 hours if you are in direct sunlight, especially between 10 am and 2 pm. Reapply every 60-90 minutes if you are participating in water activities.
5. Quantity: You should use at least 1 ounce (enough to fill a shot glass) per application.
6. Expiration: Do not use expired sunscreen as it gives your skin zero protection. Sunscreen without an expiration date has a shelf life of not more than 3 years. This shelf life is shorter if it has been exposed to high temperatures.
7. Storage: You should store your sunscreen in a cool and dry place because heat and humidity make it break down quickly. Thereby reducing its efficacy.
8. Lip protection: Use lip balms with at least SPF 30 and reapply often. Your lips can get sunburned and even develop cancer, just like your skin.
9. Caution: Do not apply to babies that are 6 months old or younger. Instead, you should keep them away from the midday sun or cover them adequately if they have to be exposed to the sun.

Note that sunscreen isn’t the ultimate protector. So, you should combine it with other protective measures to get the best sun protection.

Wear Hats.

Hats can help protect your face, ears, and even neck. However, you should wear a hat with at least a 3-inch brim all around for the best protection.

Tightly woven fabric like canvas offers you the best UV ray protection. Darker-colored hats may also provide you with better UV protection than light-colored ones. You should avoid straw hats with holes because they let sunlight through.

Note that baseball caps cannot protect your ears and the back of your neck. So, you should cover those areas with sunscreen or clothes when you’re wearing a baseball cap.

Protect Your Eyes – Sunglasses.

You can wear specially made UV-blocking sunglasses. These glasses can help protect your eyes and the sensitive skin around them from 99-100% of the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. Hence, they offer you the kind of protection that regular sunglasses do not.

Wrap-around sunglasses offer you the best protection as they prevent UV rays from getting in from the sides. So you can choose those for better safety.

UV-blocking sunglasses can also help reduce your risk of cataracts.

Limit Hot Showers and Moisturize Well

Taking hot or long showers can dry out your skin, making it more susceptible to the damaging effect of the sun. So, you should avoid hot and long showers and moisturize thoroughly during summer to protect your skin.

Hydrate Properly

The warm summer weather and spending time in the sun can make you dehydrated, which will inevitably make your skin more prone to sun damage. This is why you should drink a lot of water during summer to prevent dehydration and skin damage.

CONCLUSION

Though the sun has some good benefits, too much exposure can also take a nasty toll on your skin, making it age faster with an increased risk for skin cancer. But you cannot totally avoid sun exposure. This is why you should take necessary precautions to help protect your skin.

Remember, a combination of multiple protective measures will give you the best protection from the harmful effects of the sun.