Most of us enjoy being out in the sun and sunlight does have its benefits. Unfortunately, too much exposure to its ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause wrinkles, skin cancer and other problems.
1. Be wary
a. The summer sun is the most hazardous, but you need sunscreen protection year-round.
b. The intensity of sun rays is more from 10 am to 2 pm. So, you can plan outdoor activities for early mornings or late afternoons.
c. Sun rays are stronger closer to the equator.
d. The longer the horizon, the more vulnerable you are to harmful rays. Someone standing on an open plain is at more risk that a person whose view of the horizon is blocked by trees or buildings.
e. Do not be fooled into reserving your sunscreen for bright days. Most of the sun's UV rays penetrate clouds, so that even hazy, overcast days can damage your skin.
f. Tanning salons provide sunlamp radiation that carries all the risks of real sunlight including skin cancer. Unless the user wears goggles, the radiation may also cause serious eye damage.
2. Protect yourself
a. Use sunscreens.
b. Choose clothing that will sufficiently come between your and the sun's rays.
c. Put on a hat with a brim preferably about three inches wide. Though baseball caps and visors provide shade to the face, they leave the back of the neck and ears exposed.
d. Wear gloves when gardening or playing golf.
e. Guard your eyes with sunglasses. Over the years, exposure to UV rays can harm the lens, retina and cornea and can lead to cataracts.
f. While seeking shade keep in mind that beach umbrellas are not helpful against rays reflected off sand and sea.
g. Be aware that glass windows block some UV rays but not all. The safety glass in windshields has an inside layer of plastic, which adds more protection but car interiors are still not completely free of UV radiation.
f. Never use a sun reflector or metallic reflector blanket. They can cause serious burns very quickly.
g. Children's skin is especially vulnerable to the sun. Childhood sunburns mean a greater risk of skin caner including melanoma in later life. Make it a family routine to put on sunscreen and hats before going out.
3. Buying and applying sunscreen
a. Sunblocks are barriers that reflect and scatter rays. Unlike the "white stuff" lifeguards use, many new blocks disappear on your skin. Sunscreens work differently with chemicals that absorb specific sunrays, preventing them from penetrating to the skin.
b. Sunlight consists of two types of harmful rays-UVB and UVA. UVB rays are the primary cause of sunburn, but both UVB and UVA rays play a role in causing skin cancer and UVA rays also promote premature wrinkling. Sunblocks protect against both types of rays. If you buy a sunscreen instead of a sunblock, make sure that the label indicates protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
c. If your skin or eyes are sensitive, look for products that are hypoallergenic, fragrance-free and non-stinging. Be wary of such claims as "waterproof" or "sweat proof".
d. Certain medicines increase sensitivity to the sun and sunlamps. These include antihistamines, oral contraceptives, some antibiotics and anti-diabetic and high blood pressure drugs. Check with doctor if you are taking any medications.
e. Test for skin sensitivity by dabbing some of the product under your chin or on the back of your hand, then seeing if any redness develops after about two hours outside.
f. UV rays can penetrate three feet of water. So swimmers are not exempt from sun damage. Put on sunscreen before going into the water and reapply after swimming. Wear a white or pastel bathing suit to reflect rather than absorb the light.
g. Exposure to sun helps in production of vitamin D in the skin. Those who use sunscreen regularly -particularly the elderly-should consume at least 400 international units of that vitamin daily. Foods rich in vitamin D include salmon, tuna, eggs and milk.
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