How to Stay Safe in the Sun: What You Should Know About Sunscreen

The weather is going to be beautiful with bright blue skies and pleasant days filled with leisure, which can lead you to wanting to spend much of your time outside. In order to reap the benefits of the sun without any harm, it is essential to take the time to learn about how to protect yourself from its rays.

Using proper safety measures can allow you to enjoy yourself while keeping safe from the sun’s rays. Include the use of sunblock and cut down on how long you’re in direct sunlight.

Sunscreens, as a product regulated by the FDA, have to have gone through some inspections before being made available for sale. The way you employ this product, along with other safety techniques, is vital in helping to keep you and your family safe from sunburn, skin cancer, early aging, and other hazards caused by overexposure to the sun. Some key sun safety tips include:

Limit time in the sun, especially between the hours of 10am and 2pm, when the sun’s rays are most intense.
Wear clothing to cover skin exposed to the sun, such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, sunglasses, and broad-brimmed hats.
Use broad spectrum sunscreens with SPF values of 15 or higher regularly and as directed.
Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours, and more often if you’re sweating or jumping in and out of the water.

What is sun exposure?

We all require sunrays to get vital Vitamin D which is essential for maintaining our bone health. Getting some sunshine can also improve one’s state of mind, which is essential for anyone struggling with seasonal affective disorder. It’s perfectly reasonable if you desire to stay out in the sun the whole day, particularly in Great Britain!

The World Health Organisation (WHO) advises that you should spend 5 to 15 minutes in the sun about two to three times per week in order to get the goodness from its rays. However, too much sun exposure can be harmful.

The sun’s rays contain ultraviolet (UV) light. UV light in small doses is beneficial for our health as it contributes to:

Vitamin D production
Improved cardiovascular health
Improved moods
Limited exposure to UV light can also help improve skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis.
Sunlight carries three types of UV light: ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet C (UVC).

Why is sun safety important?

You can still have fun in the sun while being mindful of your wellbeing. Sun safety protects you from more than just sunburns. Excessive sun exposure can lead to many different health problems, including:

Skin Cancer

You may observe that certain skin problems, like rosacea, become exacerbated. Nevertheless, getting some sun can be advantageous, like supplying much-needed vitamin D and upping the serotonin – the blissful hormone!

Eye Injuries

Ultraviolet light can have a negative effect on your eyesight and can cause harm to your sight. Your corneas, which are the outer covering of your eyes, can be damaged by the sun’s rays; this is referred to as photokeratitis.

Photokeratitis is momentary; however, the level of destruction is contingent on how much time you have spent in the sun. If you’ve been exposed to the sun for a significant period of time, you may observe alterations to your sight, teary eyes, or head pain. If the signs and indications remain after two days, consult your doctor.

Ultraviolet light can also be a factor in causing cataracts or macular degeneration. Shield your peepers from the sun’s rays by donning UV-blocking sunglasses.

Skin Damage

Damage to the skin caused by ultraviolet radiation is referred to as photoaging. Photoaging doesn’t just lead to skin cancer. Ultraviolet radiation can harm the skin by decreasing its elasticity, creating an uneven surface, and resulting in redness. This will give your skin a more aged look.

Early Aging

Sun damage can age your skin considerably. Exposure to ultraviolet A radiation breaks down the collagen and elastin fibers, decreasing your skin’s capacity for tightness and flexibility. You might observe wrinkling and shifts in coloring, such as age spots.

Those who have skin that is pale are more likely to experience premature aging and harm to the skin.

Skin Cancer

The DNA in your skin cells can be harmed by UVB light. This damage can make cells turn precancerous. Abnormal cells that could eventually become cancerous cells exist, though the majority of them do not.

Areas of your body exposed to direct sunlight are more vulnerable to getting skin cancer. These include your face, ears and hands.

If you have delicate skin, some sunblock items can bring on discomfort. Try to look for sunscreens for sensitive skin. These typically contain no scented perfumes or smells, salicylates, or other ingredients that can cause irritation.

How to Apply and Store Sunscreen

Apply 15 minutes before you go outside. This permits sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor of 15 or above to have the amount of time needed to offer the greatest advantage.

Apply a sufficient amount of the product to your face and body, taking care to avoid the area around the eyes and mouth. It requires an ounce of sunscreen (equivalent to quantity from a shot glass) for an adult or child to entirely spread it on the body from top to bottom.

Know your skin. People who have a light complexion are likely to be exposed to more sunlight than those with a dark complexion when in the same environment.

You should put on sunscreen again no less than every two hours, and if you’re in the water or perspiring, do so more frequently.

Frequently forgotten spots:

Ears
Nose
Lips
Back of neck
Hands
Tops of feet
Along the hairline
Areas of the head exposed by balding or thinning hair

Storing your Sunscreen

The FDA advises that sunscreen containers should be kept away from direct sunlight in order to stay effective. Cover or shield the sunblock by wrapping the bottles in towels or storing them in a cool place. Coolers can be used to store sunscreen if one is out in the sun for an extended period of time. All sunscreen containers must have the warning: “Keep out of direct sunlight and away from high temperatures.”

Sunscreens for Infants and Children

Sunscreens are not recommended for infants. The FDA advises that infants should not be in the sun between 10am and 2pm and suggests wearing protective clothing if necessary. Babies are more likely to have a reaction to sunscreen than grown-ups, such as developing a rash. The optimal way to shield infants from the sun is to completely avoid exposing them to it. Prior to using sunscreen on a child below the age of six months, it is necessary to consult a medical professional.

Types of Sunscreen

Sunscreen comes in many forms, including:

Lotions
Creams
Sticks
Gels
Oils
Butters
Pastes
Sprays

The procedure for using sun protection items may differ depending on their forms. Spray sunscreens should never be sprayed directly onto your face. Checking the label before using sunscreen is one good reason why you should be sure to do so.

The Food and Drug Administration has not permitted the sale of non-prescription sunscreen in formats such as wipes, towelettes, powders, body washes, or shampoos.

Understanding the Sunscreen Label

Broad Spectrum

It is essential to examine the packaging for “broad-spectrum” when looking for sunscreen, as not all offer this feature. Using a sunscreen that offers extensive coverage safeguards one from the ultraviolet rays of the sun. You need to safeguard yourself from both UVA and UVB sorts of ultraviolet radiation. A broad range of protection is offered against both by supplying a barrier of chemicals which take in or reflect ultraviolet radiation before it can cause harm to the skin.

Sunscreens that are not broad spectrum or that lack an SPF of at least 15 must carry the warning:

This warning serves as a reminder that being exposed to the sun’s rays can lead to an increased danger of developing skin cancer and premature aging of the skin. It has been demonstrated that this product can only reduce the risk of sunburn, not protect against skin cancer or premature skin aging.

Sun Protection Factor (SPF)

Sunscreens are made in a wide range of SPFs.

The SPF value tells you how well the sunscreen product will prevent sunburn. The efficacy of all sunscreens is gauged by comparing the amount of ultraviolet radiation to which an individual must be exposed before being sunburned when using the sunscreen versus the amount of UV exposure needed to sustain a sunburn without sunscreen. The item is branded with the necessary SPF amount. Using a sunblock of SPF 50 affords additional protection from sunburn. SPF values can be gleaned from an experiment that reveals how much coverage is given from sunburns resulting from UVB rays, hence they show the amount of UVB protection a sunscreen gives.

As of June 2011, sunscreens that have passed the evaluation criteria to be considered as broad spectrum, can likewise show that they also provide UVA protection. Therefore, according to the labeling regulations, sunscreens marked as “Broad Spectrum SPF [value]” will demonstrate defense from both UVA and UVB radiation.

For maximum safety from the sun, select a sunscreen with a minimum SPF rating of 15.

If your complexion is light, you might want to opt for a stronger sun protection factor in the range of 30 to 50.

A widely held misunderstanding is that SPF has something to do with how long one is exposed to the sun. Many believe that, having normally been sunburned in an hour, with an SPF 15 sunscreen they would be able to stay outside fifteen times longer than usual, or for fifteen hours, and not become sunburned. This is incorrect as SPF is linked to the intensity rather than the duration of sunshine.

The intensity of the sun is greatest during midday compared to the early morning and evening hours. At mid-day, your chances of getting sunburnt are greater. The amount of sunlight is connected to the area on the planet, with more solar energy being experienced at lower latitudes.

Other Sun Safety Tips

Stay Hydrated

Spending time in the sunshine can make a person parched, so they would naturally seek something refreshment to bring their temperature down. Steer clear of sweetened and bubbly beverages as they won’t provide you with the same level of hydration as water.

Excessive time spent in the sun results in dehydration of the skin. Dehydrated skin is more prone to sun damage. It’s a never-ending process that you can stop if you guard your epidermis from UV rays.

Drinking enough fluids is a simple way to keep your skin healthy. Aim to consume an average of six to eight glasses of water on a daily basis. Having a big container of H2O with you when going out and drinking it throughout the day is a more convenient way to achieve this goal.

If you suffer from a lack of fluids because of being in the sun, it may cause you to feel lightheaded, weary, or parched. The color of your urine can become a very deep shade of yellow and have a pungent odor. Drinking fluids orally is a faster way of rehydrating than simply drinking water.

Super Lytes is a great alternative to sports drinks. These convenient pills will balance electrolytes and help you avoid dehydration consequences. Super Lytes is made with natural ingredients including pink Himalayan salt.

Protect your Eyes

Make sure to safeguard your eyes by putting on sunglasses containing built-in ultraviolet radiation defense. Look for sunglasses with a CE mark. This symbol signifies that the sunglasses comply with European regulations for health and safety. These sunglasses will provide you with effective defense against UV rays.

Search for the ‘UV400’ seal for sunglasses that have even more protection. These glasses will guard your eyes from a vast majority of ultraviolet light.

Wear Clothing to Cover your Skin and Scalp

Most of us take pleasure in being in the sun; however, it is necessary to make sure that we don’t get too much sun. After being advised to spend 5 to 15 minutes in the sun, make sure to put on clothing that will protect your skin.

We advise that you dress in loose-fitting garments, such as a lightweight cotton t-shirt or a linen blouse, since it will be warm outside. It is advised that you cover your head with a hat that has a wide brim in order to safeguard your scalp.

Keep an Eye on your Moles

Be vigilant about any moles that you have on your body after being exposed to the sun. Moles are a type of blemish on the skin which have a darker hue than the surrounding area because of an abundance of pigment. It’s quite usual to have these, so usually there isn’t any cause for concern. Some moles even disappear as you get older.

Exposure to UV light can elevate one’s chances of developing melanoma, a form of skin cancer, in moles. It is recommended to monitor your moles for any shifts in size, hue, or form. It is advisable to contact your doctor if you observe a variance in the appearance of a mole, or if it begins to itch or emit blood.

After-Sun Care Tips

Once you’ve been in the sun, make sure to chill your skin off when you return to your residence. Use a cold shower or a wet towel to lower the temperature of your skin. Ensure that your infant or kid’s body temperature does not drop too low when attempting to bring down their temperature.

If you have acquired a sunburn, it is very likely that your skin is feeling inflamed, hot, or tender. It could possibly chip and shed after a few days. Sunburnt skin usually gets better within seven days, but there are things you can do at home to treat it:

Get out of the sun as soon as you can if you notice your skin going pink, red or stinging
Apply after-sun cream or spray, like aloe vera, to soothe your skin
Drink plenty of water to cool down and prevent dehydration
If you have any pain, take pain relief like paracetamol or ibuprofen
Cover any sunburnt skin from direct sunlight until your skin has completely healed
When to seek help

If you notice any discrepancies in your skin or your sunburn has not improved within a few days, it is suggested that you obtain help. If you are worried about the effects of the sun on your skin, talk to your local pharmacist or physician.

Those who are exposed to the sun’s rays need to be cautious. These include if you:

Have a personal or family history of skin cancer
Have pale or light brown skin or freckles
Have red or fair hair
Have any skin conditions
Have moles
Have a tendency to burn more than tan

If you are going on vacation in a place with strong rays of the sun, it is important to be extra cautious. If you originate from the United Kingdom, your skin won’t be adapted to the amount of rays in the sun, so you should always don safety clothing and make sure you’re applying sunscreen frequently.