We all know how damaging the sun can be to our health. Millions of cases of skin cancer are recorded every year, even though protecting ourselves from the harmful UV light is a reasonably simple method. The most important thing is to understand how the sunrays affect our skin cells and how to provide proper protection for ourselves and our families. A clear sign of how people are not taking the effects of the sun on health seriously is the fact that more people in the USA develop skin cancer than all other types of cancer combined.
The problem with skin damage is that it impacts people of all ages because it accumulates over time, year after year, until it eventually shows its ugly face. According to statistics, an 18-year old experienced up to 23% of sun exposure, but when they reach their 60s or 70s, their exposure is likely to be 100%. The aging of our skin is almost entirely caused by our sun exposure and skin damage that comes from it. So, the best action is prevention – see how you can protect your family.
You should know when the sun’s UV rays are strongest during the day. The midday is the peak, hence 1 pm is the riskiest time to expose yourself and your kids to sun rays. Before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m., when the sun is lowest in the sky, it’s best to be outside.
You can also check the UV index daily to see how high is the radiation before you start planning your outside activities. Many sources can give you with exact information on UV strength dependent on your location.
Choose the Right Sunscreen
We all know that sunscreen is crucial for protecting our skin from the sun, but not many of us know how to use it properly.
First of all, you should realize that sunscreen doesn’t let you spend more time in the sun; it just protects you from the sun’s rays, which keeps you from getting sunburned and hurt.
Second, the proper sunscreen protects your family from both UVA and UVB radiation, which means it shields a wide variety of rays. Kids should apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and mineral zinc oxide. Put sunscreen on your ears and feet also, and don’t forget. If you don’t cover your skin, even the tiniest bits can get burned.
apply sunscreen 30 minutes before you expose the skin to the sun – it will give time to sunscreen to bind to the skin
sunscreen should be used every two hours, no matter how high SPF is
, the higher the SPF number, the higher is protection. However, the difference in protection is rather small – while SPF 50 filters 98% of the UV rays, SPF 15 blocks 93%. So, it all comes down to the frequent application of sunscreen.
Water-resistant sunscreen is a must. However, bear in mind that the duration of sunscreen protection is shorter – you are protected up to 40 minutes while swimming or sweating. In case you find “very water-resistant” sunscreen, you can be protected up to 80 minutes while swimming. Still, you need to reapply the sunscreen the moment you get out of the water.
Protect Your Home
Your home, too, should be protected from the dangerous UV radiation. That’s the place where you and your family should feel the safest, after all. You also need to protect the area around your home and the inside of your home from the sun.
Patio shades
If you have a patio in the rear, you should install patio shades that can be rolled up. It will minimize the number of sun rays, as well as the heat intensity on the patio, making it safer to sit outside. You may even get shades that let in varied amounts of light or ones that have a “zipper” to keep bugs and other pests out.
Window awnings
The sunlight that goes through the windows can also hurt you and your family, especially when the UV index is very high, which happens a lot during the summer.
So, the best course of action would be to install external awnings, as they are far more effective than internal ones. External awnings block up to 80% of sun rays from entering your home. Functioning like that, they will also reduce your energy costs because they are better at keeping your home fresh. Looking at the bigger picture, they’ll also help you reduce your carbon footprint. If you install adjustable window awnings, it will be easier to adapt to the movements of the sun throughout the day and block the UV radiation at all times.
Window films
The glass that your windows are made up of let the sun rays in. It can be damaging even for the furniture because around 40% of interior fading is due to sun rays. Regular window glass blocks some of the UV rays but no more than 25%. The improved defense is to add a UV-blocking film to windows, which could provide up to 99% UV protection. You can also add extra features, such as solar heat blocking and glare reduction.
Furniture layout
Re-arranging your furniture can also help you avoid skin harm and damage to the furniture itself. Arrange the furniture so that it’s further away from the windows and areas where the light can spread to. It will also stop you from staying in some places for too long. If you like to read outside, just relocate the chair out of the direct sunshine. This way, you’ll have enough light to read, but the UV rays won’t hit you directly. If you desire to leave your furniture in direct sunshine, you can cover it with slipcovers that protect it from UV rays.
Proper Sun Accessories and Clothing
Your bodies need more than simply sunscreen to keep safe. The more skin that is protected, the better. If you can, wear long pants, long skirts, and long-sleeved shirts that let air circulate through them. This is highly critical for infants and toddlers.
If you want to stay safe from the sun, look for garments that say “UPF”. The number on it tells you how much of the UV rays can go through the fabric. Clothes made of UV-screening fabrics offer good protection. Sunglasses and a cap are just as crucial because they protect the face and neck as well. The brim of the hat should be at least 3 inches broad so that it may cover the face, neck, and ears. A excellent pair of sunglasses should provide 99-100% protection from UV radiation. Check the label on them before the purchase because it’s not about the darkness of the lens but about a special chemical in them.
Careful with Physical Activities
Of course, you need to be active. Both kids and adults should get some exercise during the day. You should remember a few things.
No exercise during peak hours
On hot summer days, you should drink a lot of water even if you’re not exercising out. You and your family need to drink enough water to stay healthy. Drinking appropriate water every day also helps the skin stay healthy and protect itself.
Staying hydrated
Even if you’re not working out, you need to drink a lot of water on hot summer days. You and your family need to drink enough water to stay healthy. Drinking adequate water every day also helps the skin stay healthy and protect itself.
Protection for outdoor sports
yes, sunny days motivate us to go outside and be active, so it’s important that when you do, you have proper sun protection. Here are the most important tips for the four most popular outdoor sports:
Running – wear protective SPF clothing and sweat-resistant sunscreen.
Tennis – Physical screen with mineral zinc oxide is the best option because it blocks the UV rays instead of chemically absorbing them. This is especially important for sportsmen because their skin is extra sensitive to sun damage due to taking pain relievers for sore muscles.
Sailing – Again, physical sunscreen is the way to go here, mainly because water increases UV exposure because it reflects the sun rays. Frequent and abundant application of sunscreen is essential, as well as a hooded sweatshirt or at least rain gear.
Golf – sand traps, reflective ponds around you, as well as huge lack of shade on the golf course makes you highly susceptible to damaging UV rays. You need to reapply sunscreen frequently. Also, wear a hat but know that it won’t protect your shoulders if it isn’t a full-coverage hat.
Final Words
Taking care of your and your family’s skin is very important. It is our largest organ that protects us from many dangers, so it’s only logical we protect it as well.
Proper prevention and responsible protection from the sun will ensure your family is safe and healthy. Enjoy the sun; just be aware of the limits.
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