- CASMARA Universe
-
by Consulting
How to sunbathe safely
The arrival of summer brings good weather, the sun, days at the beach, the pool and outdoor sports. Sunbathing to develop that perfect golden tan which looks so good is one of our aims at this time of year, but do you know how you can sunbathe safely?
The sun has countless benefits for our skin and is essential for life; it also increases our self-esteem and optimism, is involved in different physiological processes of the human body, such as Vitamin D synthesis, and improves some skin diseases.
However, inappropriate sun exposure can have numerous health risks, presenting many negative effects which can stem from intense exposure, such as skin burns or eye damage; or from chronic exposure, such as aging, dark spots and skin cancer.
Unprotected exposure during childhood and teenage years can prove especially dangerous, being linked to an increased risk of suffering from skin cancer in the future.
Sunbathing properly is essential for maintaining our health and that of our skin; today we want to give you some tips for sunbathing in the safest way possible:
1. Avoid staying in the sun for too long, as, even if you use a very high protection factor, no sunscreen provides total protection from the risks caused by excessive sun exposure.
2. The first sun exposures of the season should be for no more than 20 minutes.
3. Avoid sunbathing between 12pm and 4pm and take extra protective measures for any outdoor activities that you may do between these times. .
4. Do not expose children under three years old to the sun. If this is the case, protect them with hats, glasses and very high SPF sunscreens that are especially for children and water-resistant.
5. Using a sunscreen that protects against UVB rays, which cause sunburn, and against UVA rays, the main cause of premature skin aging, is recommended. Furthermore, these two types of radiation are those which contribute to a greater risk of suffering from skin cancer.
6. Choose appropriate protection for your skin type, or the body area that you are protecting, especially since each part of the body has a skin type. So, protect faces, bald heads, shoulders, décolletage, ears, hands and insteps with special care, since they are more sensitive to the sun.
7. Choose a high protection factor, especially for the first times that you are exposed to the sun. Spread a generous amount of sunscreen evenly, applying it to dry skin 30 minutes prior to sun exposure, repeating every two hours or when you swim or dry off.
8. Do not use sunscreens which have been open since last year.
9. Protect your skin with sunscreen, even on cloudy days, since UV radiations are reflected by water, sand, grass, and snow, even on cloudy days.
10. Protect your head from solar radiation with hats, and your eyes with sunglasses.
11. Keep hydrated by drinking large amounts of water.
12. Always apply moisturizing cream after sun exposure.
13. If you notice any changes to the color or size of your spots or moles, consult your doctor.
Remember to follow all of these recommendations; taking extra safety precautions will make your exposure to the sun safer. Happy summer!
