Your number one summertime accessory should always be a good bottle or tube of sunscreen. No matter where you are going or what you are doing, protecting your skin should be a priority. Even on cloudy days and in the shade, your skin can still be exposed to harmful UV rays. So take care this summer and do your skin a favor by being sun-safe.
How to Protect Your Skin in the Summer
Overexposure to UV rays can cause all kinds of skin and health concerns, such as sun spots, premature aging, and skin cancer. So it’s essential to take preventative measures to ensure your skin is thoroughly protected.
Being sun-safe, however, goes beyond just applying sunscreen regularly. There are lots of ways you can protect yourself and your skin to avoid the negative effects of too much sun exposure. So before we jump into the benefits of protecting your skin, let’s look at some tips for how to stay sun-safe.
- Apply sunscreen every day, even when it’s cloudy or shady.
- Use an SPF of at least 15 or higher, but 30 or higher is best.
- Use a sunblock that is broad spectrum, protecting against UVA and UVB radiation.
- Don’t forget about a lip balm with SPF.
- Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before exposure and then reapply every 2 hours (every hour if swimming or sweating heavily).
- Be cautious around areas that reflect the sun’s rays, such as water, sand, or other reflective materials, as they can increase the risk of getting a sunburn.
- Use other forms of protection, such as sunglasses, hats, long sleeves or coverups, or clothing that is specifically made to protect against UV rays.
- Opt for darker-colored clothing with tightly woven fabrics. Though this might be hotter, it better protects your skin from being burnt.
- Limit sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. as this is when the sun’s rays are most intense.
- Be cautious of skincare and medications you use, as they can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
- Stay hydrated. Whether you are at work, home, or enjoying a summer vacation, it’s important to stay hydrated throughout the day to protect your skin and keep from becoming dehydrated in the heat.
- Eat healthy foods. Eating foods with high water content can help keep your skin and body hydrated, and foods high in antioxidants can help fight against wrinkles that form from sun exposure.
- Don’t overheat your hair. Your hair, like your skin, can also become damaged by the summer rays. So during the summer months, avoid using heat tools as much as possible as this adds to the heat damage and further drys out your hair.
Beauty and Health Benefits of Being Sun-Safe
There are various summertime skin problems and health concerns that can arise from too much sun exposure. So it’s important to follow the tips above to keep your health and your skin safe. Taking these precautions will not only protect you in the moment, but they can also act as preventative measures to protect you from developing certain skin and health issues in the future.
Some of the many benefits of staying sun-safe include:
Keep Skin Smooth and Hydrated
The sun’s harsh rays can dry out your skin, cause sun spots, and lead to wrinkles down the road. So by regularly applying sunblock and drinking plenty of water, your skin will be protected, hydrated, and moisturized.
Prevent Cancer
Sunburns not only cause your skin to dry out, flake, and peel, but they can also increase your chances of developing skin cancer. And even if you don’t get burnt, you can still get skin cancer from too much unprotected sun exposure. So the more you protect your skin, the less likely you are to develop skin cancer.
Keep Your Hair Healthy
If you want your hair to stay soft and smooth all summer long, keep it protected from too much sun and heat. Wearing hats, avoiding heat tools, and using extra moisturizing products can help protect your hair from the damaging effects of the sun’s rays, ensuring it stays soft and healthy all summer.
Reduce Risk of Spider Veins
While things like genes, gender, age, and weight are the most common reasons people develop spider veins, they are not the only causes. Too much unprotected sun exposure can also increase your chances of developing this unsightly condition.
Minimize Acne
The summer sun and heat can trigger acne flare-ups or worsen existing acne. This is because sun exposure causes the skin to produce more oil. Using high-quality sunscreens, especially on your face, can help minimize breakouts.
Prevent Melasma
Brown patches on the skin, which are known as melasma, are a skin condition caused by too much exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays. Thus, using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 can help prevent or minimize the development of this condition.
Reduce Risk of Developing Sun Allergies
Spending too much time in the sun can also cause a person to develop sun allergies, such as photoallergic dermatitis. So the more you do to protect your skin, the less likely you will be to develop one of these allergies.
Conclusion
Whether you are keeping things local this summer or planning a fun summer vacation, always, always, always, remember to use sun-safe essentials and follow the tips listed above. Your skin and overall health will thank you for it. Protecting your skin now can limit unsightly and uncomfortable skin conditions and burns, and it can help prevent you from developing more serious health conditions down the road.
