The summer means spending more time outside, which unfortunately, means a higher risk of sunburns. Here are some tips for staying sunburn-free.
Understanding Sunburns
A sunburn is the result of your skin being exposed to too much ultraviolet (UV) light. However, being in the sun isn’t the only way you can get UV light. Tanning beds and sunlamps also release UV light and can cause sunburns.
Skin gets its normal color from melanin, a pigment in the outer layer of your skin. UV light exposure causes your body to protect itself from the rays by increasing melanin production. This extra melanin darkens your skin—giving you a tan—which is your body’s way of blocking the UV light and preventing sunburn and skin damage.
Your melanin production is based on genetics. Some don’t tan easily in the sun because they don’t produce enough melanin to protect their skin and, so, UV rays will cause their skin to burn quicker.
A sunburn can vary in severity and is oftentimes painful, irritating, and drying to the skin. Sunburns don’t just happen on hot, sunny days—UV light can still pass through clouds and be reflected off surfaces like snow, ice, sand, and water.
Sunburn Prevention Tips
Even if you’re someone who tans instead of burns, you should still follow these sun safety basics, because a tan can also be damaging to the skin.
- Clothing: Tight clothes that cover your skin can help protect you from the sun. Also, wear clothes and accessories that are specific for sun protection. You can check labels on clothing for its ultraviolet protection factor (UPF).
- Sunglasses: In addition to protecting your skin from the sun, you also need to protect you eyes. Wear the highest UV protection-rated sunglasses. Sunglasses should fit close to your face and have wraparound frames so that sunlight is blocked from all angles.
- Sunscreen: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or greater. Apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before going outside, and reapply it every 2 hours—if you’re swimming or sweating, reapply it more often.You should always apply sunscreen all over your body, including your face.
- Hats: Another way to prevent a sunburn is wearing a hat. A broad-brimmed hat will offer more protection than a baseball cap or visor.
- Lip Balm: Remember that your lips can get sunburned too, so look for lip balms that have an SPF of 15 or greater.
