As spring comes to the end, summer begins and people everywhere start spending more time soaking up the sun. Catching some rays is beneficial for absorbing vitamin D naturally, but people should be aware that the sun can be just as harmful as it is beneficial. Overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can increase you risk for skin cancer, wrinkles, brown spots and extra blood vessels on the face called telangiectasia. Here are 3 tips to keep your skin safe this summer
1. Protect Yourself by Wearing the Right Clothes
The easiest way to protect yourself this summer is by wearing the proper clothes when going out. Long-sleeved shirts, or long pants and skirts cover up the most skin and help protect against UV rays. Wearing a hat to cover your head and neck is something always overlooked, as well as wearing UV- blocking sunglasses to protect the sensitive skin around the eyes. UV-blocking sunglasses are made with a chemical that is applied into the lenses, buying regular sunglasses will not protect you against harmful UV rays.
2. Apply Sunscreen Properly
Applying the right sunscreen is vital for protecting exposed skin from UV rays. Buying a higher SPF will protect your skin from a higher percent of the sun’s UV rays. You should always apply sunscreen to your entire skin even parts that are covered up by clothes, because a small percent of UV rays can still pass through clothes as well. It is ideally to apply 1 once of sunscreen every 2 hours to cover your legs, arms, neck and face. If you plan to go to the beach or be active in the sun, make sure that you buy sunscreen that is sweat-proof and water resistant so that your screen does not get washed off.
3. Seek Shade When Possible
The most obvious way to avoid UV rays is to spend less time in direct sunlight. The peak times of the day for UV rays are from 10 am to 4 pm. An easy way to check how strong UV rays are, is by checking your shadow. The shorter your shadow is, the stronger the sun’s rays are and you should seek shade when possible. Going out can’t be avoided but by limiting the time you spend in the sun will help your skin in the long run.
