Most people today are aware of the fact that too much exposure to the sun can be bad for you. Sunlight can increase the rate at which you age, making you look old before your time. Too much sun can also increase the risk of developing skin cancer. Yet, many people still do not take the proper precautions to make sure they don’t sustain any sun damage. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t enjoy the summer sun. Outdoor fun is fine as long you take the following simple, commonsense precautions:
Sun Screen
There are many good products on the market that you can buy that will provide you with adequate protection from too much sun. The products with a sun protection factor of greater than 30 are the best, but they do not last all day. Therefore you should reapply the sunscreen every two hours for as long as you are in the sun. Swimming removes sunscreen, so be sure to reapply after you get out of the water.
Clothing
In the summer we are often inclined to wear less clothes, not more. However, one of the easiest ways to protect yourself from the sun is to wear the right clothes. A hat is always helpful, especially if it has a wide brim that protects the face and back of the neck. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants are also helpful, if perhaps a bit warm. Yet, better to be a little uncomfortable than have to contend with premature aging and increased cancer risks.
Timing
The sun is less harmful early in the morning and later in the day. It is between the hours of 10am and 2 pm that damaging ultra violet radiation is at its peak. Just staying in the shade during those key times can make an enormous difference in the amount of radiation you absorb that day.
Fun in the sun is great, just be sure to take these simple precautions.