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Protecting Yourself from the Sun: A Guide

Summer is fast approaching, and soon enough we will be experiencing high temperatures and intense sun. Thoughts of laying out in the sun and topping up your tan will be entering your mind. While this can be a wonderful way to spend your summer, it can also be incredibly dangerous if you are not protecting yourself properly. After all, the sun can be aggressively dangerous and cause major damage to our skin and body as a whole if we do not look after ourselves or use the right protection. Remember that repeated sun damage can lead to dry, wrinkled looking skin and also skin cancer.

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Staying out of the sun is, of course, the best course of action. But that isn’t always achievable and there are still many benefits of being out in the sun. For instance, the sun can help elevate your mood and provide your body vitamin D. While this doesn’t mean you should sit out underneath the sun during the height of its intensity (midday), protecting yourself also does not mean you need to lock yourself indoors.

Sunscreen

Sunscreen is the most known protective measure when it comes to protecting yourself from the sun. However, you need to apply it regularly, use the right SPF and amount, and if you sweat or swim, reapply it. You should also remember that even with sunscreen, it is still recommended that you refrain from sitting out in the sun without any shade. Even if the weather seems cloudy, you should still apply sunscreen. Ideally, you should be making a habit out of wearing sunscreen and apply it every day if you wish to keep your youthful looking skin.

To get the most protection from your sunscreen, make sure that you apply the sunscreen 20 to 30 minutes before you head outside (you want your skin to absorb it first) and to reapply it every couple of hours. If you are wearing makeup, then your sunscreen should be applied underneath.

Protective Clothing

Wearing protective clothing is essential when you are outdoors for long periods of time, but especially if you are outside during the middle of the day. Ideally, you should wear long sleeves and long pants. Aim to buy clothes in linen or cotton so that they are light and breathable, too. You should also invest in a hat and a pair of good quality sunglasses so that you can protect your body from the sun’s harmful rays. When choosing a pair of sunglasses, ensure that they are able to filter UV light for added protection.

Getting Checked Out

Sunspots could appear if you spend too much time out in the sun and they are directly linked to sun exposure. Finding sunspots on your skin can be a cause for concern, and if you do find any, you should head to a professional and get them checked out to ensure that they are not related to skin cancer. If you wish to remove your sunspots, then there are many sunspot treatments available. For more information, head to millcitylaser.com and read how they could help you reduce the visibility of any sunspots found on your body.

Wanting to feel the sun on our skin is a very human urge, but remember that it is more important to protect yourself so that you do not damage your skin or run the risk of developing skin cancer. The preventative measures above are great ways to protect your body from the sun’s harmful rays.