When the human skin is exposed to the sun, it naturally creates vitamin D, which can positively affect your body’s physical and mental function. Moreover, vitamin D can help you improve your mood and boost the immune system by increasing serotonin levels in your body.
However, too much exposure to the sun can cause problems, a reason why doctors recommend getting vitamins from foods. So, let’s find out some methods to protect your skin from sun rays.
Choose the correct type of sunscreen
Sunscreen is one of the best ways of protecting your skin from skin cancer and aging due to sun exposure. Apart from babies less than six months old, every person can wear sunscreen when they are outdoors.
However, when you pick a sunscreen, you must choose the right kind. There are several ways to do this. You can choose a sunscreen by:
- Your skin type: For instance, those with darker skin tones can opt for a tinted mineral sunscreen, while those with dry skin can choose hydrating sunscreens.
- A broad spectrum option offers protection from ultraviolet A rays (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.
- Sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher.
- Water-resistant sunscreens.
- Ingredients.
- And Acne-Prone skin or sensitive skin.
Look for shades whenever you are outside
An excellent way to reduce exposure to the sun’s UV rays is to always stay under shade when outdoors. You can choose to set up a tent on the beach or seek shelter under a tree. It would be best if you found shade, especially during the hours when the sun is at its strongest.
It would be best if you did this for babies who must avoid unnecessary sun exposure at all costs. Babies under six months old should be protected from the sun with umbrellas, hats, and strollers.
Always regularly and frequently apply sunscreen
The sunscreen application method can affect sunscreen protection’s effectiveness on your skin. The best way to apply sunscreen on your body is to lather it for about 30 minutes before you go outdoors. Then, ensure you use a minimum of one ounce of sunscreen on your skin.
Experts suggest waiting for 30 minutes after the application because it takes that amount of time for your skin to absorb the sunscreen. After applying it, you should also wait for about 20 minutes so you don’t accidentally rub off the sunscreen.
By reapplying your sunscreen every two hours, you are also reducing the risk of sunburn. If you intend to swim, you should reduce this time. Additionally, you can use a lipstick or lip balm containing sunscreen that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30
Use wide-brimmed hats to cover your head
Hats having a minimum of three inches of brims in diameter are an excellent method of limiting UV rays exposure to your skin. However, baseball caps or other hats might not provide complete protection for every part of your face, which is usually exposed to the sun, like the neck, nose, and ears.
Wear protective clothes
Wearing protective clothing is another easy way to reduce your body’s exposure to the sun’s UV rays. However, several types of clothing provide different levels of protection.
The following types of clothes offer some of the best protection. They include dry, darker, and thicker clothes like denim against thin fabrics like cotton.
Don’t stay in the sun during its peak hours
The sun’s UV rays are usually at their strongest from 10 am to 4 pm. You can practice the shadow rule by noting whenever your shadow is shorter than you. This shows that the sun’s rays are at their peak, so you should find shade or avoid it.
Use sunglasses for eye protection
You can use sunglasses to protect the skin around your eye and your skin from the sun. However, it is hard to use the color of the lenses to determine how well the sunglasses can protect you from the sun’s rays. Instead, choose sunglasses with a description indicating the percentage of UVA or UVB rays they block.
That’s A Wrap
The swift danger of extreme exposure to the sun is sunburn. When you look at skin that is sunburned under a strong microscope, you will find that the blood vessels and the cells have been damaged. When sun damage continues, the skin looks leathery, discolored, wrinkled, and dry.
Though your skin might look thicker, it has already been weakened, making it susceptible to bruising. However, the most severe threat of continuous sun exposure is skin cancer, which has become one of the most common types of cancer. So, you can avoid these side effects by following the tips mentioned above.
