Dermatologists say that extended exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can cause skin damage such as brown spots, and red, scaly spots, as well as wrinkling. But even worse, it can cause skin cancer.
Here are 10 ways to protect your skin in the sun and avoid these conditions.
1) Stay in the Shade
Reduce your risk of skin damage and skin cancer by finding shade under an umbrella, tree or other shelter.
2) Cover Up
Clothing made of dark, tightly woven fabric absorb ultraviolet light better than cotton fabrics in lighter shades. Wet fabrics offer less protection than dry ones.
3) Wear a Hat
Choose hats with a wide brim that goes all the way around to protect the face, ears, and neck. As with clothing, darker tightly woven fabric works best to protect against UV rays.
4) Wear Sunglasses
UV radiation can cause long-term damage to the eyes, and may even lead to cataracts. Look for sunglasses that are made to block both ultraviolet A and B rays.
5) Use Sunscreen
Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 15 or higher. The label should also say broad-spectrum. Broad-spectrum will protect the skin from both UVA and UVB rays.
Make sure to thickly spread sunscreen on skin. A thin layer of a sunscreen can reduce its effectiveness by as much as 50 percent. It’s wise to apply sunscreen 20 to 30 minutes before sun exposure, so your skin can absorb it all.
For fairer skin, consider preparing for sun exposure the night before by putting on a layer of sunscreen. This allows the sunscreen to be thoroughly absorbed into the skin's outer layer.
6) Frequently Reapply Sunscreen
Even though many types of sunscreen claim to be waterproof, eventually they will wear off after swimming and sweating. Reapply sunscreen every two hours or more.
7 )Cover All Exposed Skin
Use sunscreen on the tops of ears, the hairline, the chest, nose and hands.
8) Protect Your Lips
Use lip balm with a SPF of 15 or higher to protect your lips from getting sunburned or developing cold sores.
9) Remember Reflected Light
Umbrellas and other shade provide only modest protection from UV light. They don’t protect against rays reflected off sand, snow, concrete and other surfaces.
10) Cold Weather and Clouds Don’t Stop UV Rays
Damaging UV rays aren't deterred by clouds. Sunburn can still happen, because ultraviolet light can penetrate cloud cover.
Winter activities often take place in high altitudes where there is little atmosphere to filter out the sun's rays. Even in winter, cover up and use sunscreen.
Sources:
"10 Ways to Protect Your Skin From Sun Damage - HowStuffWorks." HowStuffWorks. Web. 29 June 2015.
http://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/beauty/sun-care/10-ways-to-protect-skin-from-sun-damage.htm
"Protecting Your Skin From the Sun: Healthwise Medical Information on EMedicineHealth." EMedicineHealth. Web. 29 June 2015.
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/protecting_your_skin_from_the_sun-health/article_em.htm
"Sun Safety." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 23 June 2014. Web. 29 June 2015.
http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/sun-safety.htm
Zinser, Stephanie. "Top 10 Tips to Protect Your Skin from the Sun." Mail Online. Associated Newspapers. Web. 29 June 2015.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3752/Top-10-tips-protect-skin-sun.html
Reviewed July 2, 2015
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith