Protecting the skin from the sun is the most significant measure to avoid sunburn, aging of the skin, and even skin cancer. Though the majority are aware of the basic principles, e.g. of wearing sunscreen or staying in the shade, some sun protection instructions, that are no less crucial, are still often left out of sight. So, here are the five sun protection tips which, however, you should not overlook.
1. Don’t Avoid the Reapplication of Sunscreen
If you think that putting on sunscreen in the morning and that’s it, you are wrong. The sunscreen is worn out after 2-3 hours, more so if you are in the water, sweating or towel-drying. For it to be effective, you need to reapply the sunscreen every 2 hours that pass, and even more if you are engaged in physical activity. This is one of the most neglected tips, but it’s actually very important because it will protect you continuously.
2. Don’t Forget Your Lips
Oftentimes, we forget to apply sunscreen to our lips, but the fact is that they are also exposed to dangerous UV rays similar to any other part of our body. A lip balm with an SPF of 30 or higher is the best way of guarding against the sun’s harmful effects. For best protection, remember to keep reapplying it, especially after meals, drinks, or swims.
3. Put Loose and Bright-Colored Clothing On
Applying sunscreen to the skin is ok, but the clothes can definitely provide a better kind of protection that the sunscreen alone does not have. You can choose the type of fabric which has a tight weave or you may still prefer specially designed sun-protective clothing with a known UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) level. And besides, your facial, ear, and eye skin will not suffer from the sun if you wear a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
4. Stay Aware of Reflective Surfaces
Most of the population is ignorant of the fact that water, sand, snow, and even concrete are capable of reflecting the sun’s rays, thus amping up the UV exposure. Hence, conceivably, it is still possible to get a sunburn even in the shade or on cloudy days. So, when in the proximity of reflective surfaces, it’s crucial to put on sunscreen on all the areas of the body that are not protected and to wear protective clothing and accessories.
5. Don’t Rely on High SPF Alone
High-SPF sunscreen might be giving you more suntan protection, but you’re not that safe from the sun’s burning UV-rays as you might be thinking. In most cases, when using SPF 50 or more, people feel overprotected and, as a result, can expose themselves to the sun for a longer time. You should also remember that there is no 100% sun-blocking sunscreen. So it is highly recommended to use sunscreen with other forms of protection such as staying in the shadow and putting on protective clothing for the most effective defense.
These sun protection tips must be observed by you or else you could be liable to skin damage and you will also greatly increase your risk of skin cancer. Being more attentive to these often-neglected sun protection measures means you can safely enjoy the outdoors and also keep your skin healthy and young.