Sun protection is not a new topic, but it’s one that never loses importance. We’ve heard from a young age that it’s important to stay safe from the sun, but have you really been following that advice? If not, it’s time to make a change. Staying safe in the sun is even easier than you thought!
Protective Clothing
Clothing is a great way to reduce the surface area of skin that’s affected by harmful UV rays. Dark colors protect the best, as well as tightly wound types of fabric. When clothes become wet, they will lose their effectiveness against the sun.
Sun Accessories
Big beach hats and sunglasses aren’t just a way to improve on your outfit; they’re also a way to protect your skin from the sun! Hats help keep the sun off of your face. Large beach hats are ideal because their wide brim also helps protect the back of your neck and tops of your ears from the harmful rays. Even if you’re wearing a hat, you should add a pair of sunglasses to your summer look too. Sunglasses keep your eyes and the delicate skin that surrounds them safe from irreversible sun damage.
Encouraging Healthy Habits
Sun protection shouldn’t just be a priority for yourself, but for your entire family. Encourage your children to use the protective clothing and accessories we discussed starting at a young age. Before you know it, sun protection will be so natural to them they don’t even have to think about it!
Sunscreen
Sunscreen is the traditional method of sun protection. That’s because it’s the most effective! Sunscreen needs to feature an SPF of 15 or higher to keep your skin safe. You need to reapply your sunscreen once every 2 hours or after getting out of the water. Don’t just use sunscreen on beach days either! SPF should be a part of your daily routine because it doesn’t take hours of sun exposure for damage or burns to occur. Many moisturizers, cosmetic products, and lip balms come with SPF built-in to make it easier than ever to stay safe in the sun.
Sun damage to your skin increases your risk for developing skin cancer. If you’re new to protecting your skin from the sun, it’s a good idea to have a skin check performed by a dermatologist to assess the damage that’s already occurred. It’s never too late to begin protecting yourself and your skin!
