As the summer weather approaches, millions of people are starting to make plans that consist of outdoor activities. Whether your plans involve working in your yard or heading to the beach, you should take the proper steps to guard against sunburn and skin cancer. At the very least, going out unprotected will cause the sun’s rays to dry out your skin and leave you looking older. You can reduce the risks of all types of skin damage by following these tips for proper skincare this summer.
Schedule Outdoor Activities Carefully
The time of day that you spend outside will affect your risks of getting sunburn or skin cancer, so you should avoid going outdoors at times when the sun is at its hottest. Generally, this is between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. People who must spend time outside during these hours, such as those who work outdoors, should make an extra effort to keep their skin covered. You should wear long sleeves and pants, a wide-brimmed hat, or use an umbrella. When wearing pants and long-sleeves, be sure the garments are made from a light fabric to reduce the risks of heat exhaustion.
Protect Your Eyes
Anytime you go outdoors, you should be wearing eye protection that will filter out the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. This is important for a couple of reasons. Primarily, those harmful rays can cause damage to your eyes, and they can raise the risks of developing cataracts after prolonged exposure. Sunglasses that offer the proper protection will keep those risks lower. Additionally, the skin around your eyes is thinner and more prone to sun damage. Sunglasses with bigger lenses will cover these sensitive areas of the skin to protect against sun damage.
Always Wear Sunscreen
It’s important to ensure you’re always protecting your skin with some type of sunscreen. Today, you can find a pH balanced body lotion that also offers proper SPF protection. If you opt for more traditional sunscreen, be sure it has an SPF of 30 or higher. You should also keep an eye on expiration dates regardless of the type of skin protectant you use. As a general rule, sunscreen is good for up to three years past its manufacturing date. When wearing sunscreen, be sure to reapply it every two hours to obtain consistent protection.
Check Your Skin
You should make a thorough check of your skin once a week to identify changes to your skin as early as possible. Ask someone you trust to help by checking areas of your body that you can’t see. Look for moles, new freckles, rashes, or any other sudden skin blemishes. If you see anything, you should bring it to the attention of your doctor as soon as possible. While it may be nothing, early detection of a skin problem will help you to get more effective treatment.
Shower After Your Swim
Getting wet again right after getting out of the pool may not seem like an attractive idea, but it will help you protect your skin and hair. A quick shower and hair wash will help you get rid of the chlorine and other pool chemicals that are clinging to your skin. If you let these substances dry on your skin and into your hair, they will cause damage to skin cells and hair follicles. A shower will rinse these chemicals off your skin before they have a chance to do that damage.
If you do develop a rash, acne, or another type of skin blemish, you should see a dermatologist as soon as possible. While many skin conditions cannot be cured, treatment can reduce the damage and the frequency of flare-ups that these conditions can cause. Your dermatologist can also recommend better methods for protecting your skin when you do spend time outdoors.
Sheryl Wright is a freelance writer who specializes in digital marketing, inclusive business, and interior design. If she is not at home reading, she is at a farmer’s market or climbing in the Rockies. She currently lives in Nashville, TN, with her cat, Saturn.
