Photo credit: Joe Shlabotnik
It is summer and right now the hottest time of the year. You just have an itch to get outside because you have been inside all winter. Before you grab your bathing suit and head to the beach, remember to protect yourself so you can have a healthy and safe summer.
One of the main concerns for the summer time is sunburn. Do you know what sunburn is? Sunburn is actually a first-degree burn that makes the skin red and painful to touch. It can cause wrinkles when you age and also skin cancer if you are exposed to too much sun.
- Use sunscreen- Use a sunscreen that has a SPF of at least 15 or more. When you are outdoors, apply 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every 2 hours. If you are swimming or sweating a lot, reapply more often.
- Shade- The sun is the hottest and most powerful at peak hours from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Try to avoid the sun during this time. If you have to be outside, use a stronger sunscreen, wear a hat or seek shade by using an umbrella on the beach.
- Protective clothing- Use wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeve shirts and long pants so the sun isn’t directly on you.
- Stay Hydrated- You’re on the beach having fun and you haven’t had a sip of water in three hours. You need to drink eight glasses of water a day. So when you’re in direct sun, your body is working harder and you need to fuel it by drinking more water than normal. Don’t drink sugary pops or juice. If you don’t like to drink water, eat water-filled foods such as watermelon.
Remember that every skin type is different and has different levels of tolerance to the sun. By keeping these four simple tips in mind, you will have healthy skin and safe summer.
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