Summer is coming soon. And while it’s always fun to laze and bask under the sun, getting sunburns are not. So here are some tips to avoid getting red and burned so you could enjoy the new season.
Stay Indoors From Mid-Morning To Mid-Afternoon
Everybody needs sunlight as the vitamins that the body receives help in the production of melanin. However, with the changing climate and atmosphere, there are certain hours of the day that is not conducive for basking under the season. To avoid getting sunburn, avoid the outdoors and direct exposure to the sun beginning 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Depending on your location or the season, these could change. However, in recent years, the hours between 10 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon are the most hot and scorching.
Cover Yourself Up
If you are not heading to the beach, it is advisable that you keep yourself covered up in the right clothing. Soft and billowy clothes that have long sleeves could keep you feeling cool and fresh while providing the coverage you need from the sun’s harmful rays. Lots of brands nowadays offer clothes made in breathable and soft textile to keep you from sweating it out. You could also wear caps, floppy hats and sunglasses to protect yourself from the heat. Always bring an umbrella with your during summer so that your commute is bearable, especially if you have to a quick lunch time errand round the corner.
Always Apply Sunblock
Whether the area is exposed or not, it is highly suggested that you lather yourself up with a sunscreen lotion to protect your body. Depending on the color of your skin, you might have to go for a higher SPF if you are fair-skinned. However, as the sun’s harmful rays affect people the same way, even dark-skinned people must wear sunblock at all times. An SPF of at least 45+ is recommended for daily wear.
Make sure that you apply it a few minutes before stepping out in the sun to allow your skin to absorb it first. If you get wet or sweaty, re-apply sunscreen or sunblock lotion as the water or sweat might have washed it off.
Do not forget to put sunblock on hard-to-reach areas such as your nape, elbows, back of knees and even your ears. Should you decide to wear flip-flops or any footwear that leave the skin in your feet exposed, apply sunblock lotion as well.
Also remember that your lips should also be protected to prevent it from drying and chapping. Use Vaseline, Chapstick or other lip balm brands that offer SPF infused types.
If you think that the consistency of your sunblock is too sticky and heavy, check out the beauty store for brands that is non-comedogenic and light on the skin. There are also spray types, which are more watery in consistency as opposed to cream and lotion types that is heavy to the feeling.
Get A Tan The Artificial Way
You might want to cop a golden glow this summer but it’s best to go the fake way rather than risk getting a burn. There are lots of tanning salons available, as well as tan sprays for you to check out. Should you decide to still go for the glowing skin the natural way, do not forget the sunscreen and do it gradually for short periods of time. Do not take the plunge and expose yourself for hours, as the results could be drastic and painful. Instead, build your tan up over time
Load Up On Vitamin D And Astaxanthin
Before and during summer, increase your intake of food rich in Vitamin D, as this helps protect your body from the UV rays. Meanwhile, Astaxanthin is an antioxidant that could be found in algae and other seafood such as shrimps and salmon. Load up on the seafood before hitting the sun so that your body gets “internal” protection with these nutrients. But do not forego the sunscreen. These vitamins that you get from food would supplement how your body reacts to the sun’s rays, not prevent your from being burned by it.
