Basic Sun Safety Tips

When going outdoors, it is important to be aware of some basic sun safety tips in order to avoid health problems. If you want to have a good time at the beach and not worry about sunburns, then you'll want to remember some of the most important.

• One of the most useful sun safety tips is as simple as this: if possible, try to avoid outdoor activities between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., which is the time when the sun rays are typically strongest.
• If you are going to be outdoors, specially during that time of the day, try to seek shade as much as you can in order to minimize exposure to direct sunlight.
• Always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen (which protects against both UVA and UVB radiation) with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 in all the exposed parts of your body. Remember to use a generous amount of sunscreen at least twenty minutes before going outside and to reapply it every two hours, paying special attention to your nose, ears and lips, as they are particularly prone to burns. If you want to know more about UVA and UVB radiation, SPF and sunscreens in general, please check our Sunscreen Facts page
• If you're going to be in the water, remember to be even more careful and make sure you use enough sunscreen and that you reapply it often, as not only sunscreen gets washed off by water and sweat, but ultraviolet rays reflect off the water thus increasing the intensity of the UV radiation. Same applies when being around sand and snow. One of those sun safety tips that you don't want to forget!

Use sunglasses that filter out both UVA and UVB radiation, at least 99% of it. Big, tight fitting glasses usually offer the best protection, as they reduce the reflected ultraviolet radiation.

• Wear clothing that covers as much skin as possible. Tightly woven fabrics offer more protection than loosely woven ones, as they allow less light to go through the material, therefore reducing the intensity of the radiation. Also, dark colors provided a stronger protection than lighter ones, as they allow a smaller amount of ultraviolet radiation to reach the skin. Wear a hat, if possible one that protects the ares often more exposed to the sun, such as the neck, scalp, forehead, ears and eyes. But please, don't forget that you also need to protect your arms and legs, not only your face.


• One of the most important sun safety tips you will want to remember: Do not expose babies of under six months of age to direct sunlight, as their skin is extremely sensitive and can be very easily damaged. Also, you need to be aware that children in general need more protection from the sun than adults. Remember that a few sunburns at a young age increases the risk of suffering skin cancer dramatically, so you need to teach your kids all these basic facts about protecting themselves against the sunlight radiation.


• Be aware that some medications, such as certain antibiotics, can increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight. If you want to know if a certain medication you are currently taking can make you more sensitive to the sun, ask your doctor or your pharmacist about it.


• If you are concerned about getting all the vitamin D that your body needs, try to obtain it through a healthy, diverse diet or through vitamin supplements, do not use the sun as your primary source of vitamin D.

So now you have no excuse, remember our tips when you're planning your next trip to the beach!


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