Now that it’s summer, there’s no better time to get active outdoors and enjoy spending time with your family. Getting out in the sunshine is fantastic for your stress levels, tops up your vitamin D, and is good for everybody’s wellbeing. And as long as you are careful to protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun, everyone can enjoy the summer with no added risk to health.
Skin cancer is a major health problem. It is caused by too much exposure to UV (ultra violet) and although many people believe that this is only a danger on sunny days, UV rays can penetrate throughout the year when it is cloudy and overcast too.
In the U.S., UV rays tend to be at their strongest between 10 am and 4 pm. You can check out the strength of the UV on your phone weather app and if the UV index is set to rise above 3, you will certainly need to ensure that you and your family are fully protected from damaging rays.
How to protect your skin from sun damage
Stay in the shade as much as possible. On bright hot days, stay in the shade under umbrellas, trees and other protective shelters.
Wear suitable clothing: It is tempting to wear shorts and a tee but it is better for the health of your skin to cover up with long pants and long sleeves. If you are on the beach, a sarong or a loose cover up will protect your skin from burning.
Always wear a hat: A hat with a wide brim protects your face, neck and ears from sun damage so should always be part of your summer attire. Avoid straw and raffia as the sun’s rays can penetrate through the weave.
Wear sunglasses: UV rays can damage your eyes and the tender skin area that surrounds them. Most sunglasses, even cheap ones, block UV rays so there is no excuse for failing to wear them. Wrap around sunglasses is best because they prevent UV light from sneaking in round the sides.
Always wear Sunscreen: All sunscreens are assigned a sun protection factor (SPF) and the higher the number, the greater the protection. Never use a sunscreen with less than 15 SPF but in our opinion, the higher numbers work best for everyone as they offer far greater protection. Remember, never use sunscreen on babies. The only way to protect their skin is to keep them in the shade.
There are numerous sunscreen brands on the market. One we especially like is Mychelle Dermaceuticals Sun Shield Liquid Tint SPF 50. It offers fantastic protection against the sun and because it is lightly tinted, it blends in with your skin color so it looks good too. Mychelle Dermacueticals is a Colorado-based company that specialises in natural skin care products designed for health and beauty which are clinically proven.
