How to Protect Your Skin from Sun Damage This Summer
With summer approaching, it’s time to get ready to hit the beach and enjoy some time in the sun. While it’s hard to deny that there’s a certain appeal to the look of sun-kissed skin, the truth is that sun exposure can be quite damaging to your skin. So what can you do to protect your skin from sun damage this summer?
Be Smart about Sunscreen
It’s common knowledge that you should wear sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun. Did you know that you should wear sunscreen even on cloudy days? Clouds don’t prevent the sun’s UV rays from reaching your skin, which means that you can still get sunburnt. When applying sunscreen, do so generously 15-30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours, or every one hour if you’re swimming or sweating. Use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
Cover Up
Sunscreen isn’t the only way to protect your skin from the sun. Covering up can help too. Hats are a great way to protect the delicate skin of your face, and sunglasses with 99%-100% UV absorption can help protect your eyes and the skin around them. As counterintuitive as it may sound, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants made from darker fabrics with a tighter weave is a good idea if you’re outside. They’re warmer, but they’ll protect your skin better from sun damage.
Limit Sun Time
The sun’s rays tend to be strongest between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. Because of this, it’s best to limit time in the sun during these hours if possible. Spend time in the shade instead. You can use your shadow to gauge if the sun’s rays are too strong to be spending much time in. If your shadow is shorter than you are tall, it’s best to limit your time in the sun. It’s especially important to be careful about your sun exposure if you take medications or use skin care products that increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun.
Summer is a wonderful season, full of warmth and sunshine. That same sunshine that makes days longer and encourages you to spend more time outdoors can do serious damage to your skin though. Make sure you take steps to protect your skin from sun damage to preserve both its health and beauty.
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