With the weather getting warmer, most of us will be spending more time outside. No matter your age it’s never too late to protect your skin against the dangerous rays of the sun. Protecting against sunburn is a step toward cancer protection, as well. Here are a few ways you can help to protect your skin.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen should always be worn when you are exposed to the sun. Choose one with an SPF of at least 15. If you are out all day, sweating or swimming, reapply afterward.
Put the sunscreen on at least 15 minutes before you leave the house. Remember your lips, face, hands and anywhere else that will be exposed. Reapply after two hours of continuous sun exposure.
Wide-Brimmed Hat
A hat with a wide brim can help protect your face, neck, shoulders, back, chest and more. A loose, light hat can also help protect against heat stroke and getting overheated.
Direct sun on your head can give you sunstroke or cause you to overheat and get sick fairly quickly. The hat will help provide shade. Find a hat that breathes on your head, as heavy ones will make it feel even hotter.
Protective Clothing
Wearing clothing to cover yourself can also help protect you and your skin from the sun. Light, loose clothing that breathes is best. Make sure you have long sleeves, long pants or dress to the ankles and don’t forget about your neck.
Choose light colors, as well, as darker colors will attract the sun and heat. For added protection, there is clothing that contains a UVP rating, so find something that has a rating of at least 30.
Keep in The Shade
Try to stay in the shade as much as possible. If you are attending an event where there is not shade provided, bring your own. Take your hat and an umbrella to keep the sun off your back, neck and head.
If you are attending an outdoor event, remember to move as the sun moves. Make sure you go into an air-conditioned area or out of the sun after about an hour to cool down and hydrate.
Wear Sunglasses
Find the right sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection. They help protect your eyes and the delicate skin around your eyes. Sunglasses need to contain protective elements, otherwise, the sun’s dangerous rays will not be stopped.
Cheap sunglasses can cut down on the glare, but that stops us from squinting. Squinting protects your eyes, so if the sunglasses don’t have UVA and UVB protection, you can actually cause more damage than not wearing them at all.
Know Your Medications
There are certain medications that can have a diverse effect under the sun. Some antibiotics and over-the-counter medications can make you more sensitive to sunlight.
Some common medications include antihistamines, anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin, certain antibiotics, antidepressants and some oral diabetic medications. Check with your pharmacist when getting these medications for side effects.
For Seniors Protection
Seniors may react differently to the sun’s exposure. Their skin is thinner and more delicate. Plus, they may have had years of exposure without protection already.
Watch for spots, marks and moles after sun exposure, keep them well hydrated and consider a medical alert system for them to alert someone if they need help.