If Waypoint Real Estate Group could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience…
Summer is here and that means swimming, barbecues and outdoor parties. Before you rush out in a hurry though, remember that your summer will be even more fun if you remember to properly protect yourself from the strong UV rays of the summertime sun. There are plenty of different tips and techniques for how to best protect your skin from the elements, so there is absolutely no excuse for you to not be safe when playing out at the beach this summer.
- Cover Up. Hats and sunglasses are all the rage at the beach, but don’t stop there! Take an extra step to protect yourself with a t-shirt or cover up. Dark, tightly woven fabrics absorb UV light best and dry fabrics will offer you more protection than wet.
- Keep Cool. The sun is at its strongest between 10am and 4pm. In general it’s a good rule to avoid being outside at these times if possible, but if that is simply not the way your day unfolds then plan on finding a nice spot under a tree or bringing an umbrella with you to create your own shade.
- Don’t let the weather fool you. Many harmful UV rays can easily penetrate light cloud cover. Just because it looks a little gray outside doesn’t mean you should skip the sunscreen. Reflective light is also no joking matter. If you are planning to be out on the sand or bright concrete remember that you will have sun coming at you from all sides and plan accordingly.
- Protect Your Eyes. You might not think about your eyes while you’re worrying about your skin, but protecting this important asset is also top priority. Long-term exposure to the sun can increase risk of cataracts. Make sure that you have a good pair of sunglass that offer 100% UV protection.
- Wear Sunscreen. There are a lot of different options when you get to the sunscreen shelf at the store. How do you choose?
- Look for SPF 15 or higher. SPF protects you from UVB rays. The SPF rate times ten minutes will give you an idea of how long the sunscreen should protect you before you burn. For example SPF15 x 10=150 minutes before your skin should begin to feel the effects of the sun. Higher SPFs offer more protection, but only by a minimal amount overall. This means for example that having SPF 30 doesn’t provide you with twice as much protection from the sun, just a longer time between applications
- Protect yourself from UVA rays. Most sunscreens don’t advertise that they have protection from both UVB and UVA rays, but UVB rays are just as dangerous when it comes to skin cancer. Check for ingredients such as ecamsule, avobenzone, oxybenzone, titanium dioxide or zinc oxide to make sure your sunscreen will protect you from UVB as well.
- Plan ahead. If you know that you will be swimming or playing sports make sure you look for a water and sweat resistant sunscreen.
- Protect your children. Children’s skin is more sensitive than adult skin and should be treated carefully. Make sure you buy children’s sunscreen for your kids. Children’s sunscreen often contains fewer chemicals and no artificial scents.
It’s not just what you wear, it’s how you wear it. Make sure that you apply sunscreen at least thirty minutes before you are planning on going out in the sun to make sure it has time to soak in. If you are going to be outside for an extended period of time, plan on reapplying every two hours.
Whether you are hitting the park, beach, pool, or trail this summer, be prepared for lots of fun and also a lot of sun. As you’re bringing home memories and souvenirs be careful and take care of both yourself and your family to make sure you don’t bring any unwanted skin damage home as well.