by
Katrina Welch
It’s the month of August! Do you know what that means? We are in the midst of yet another glorious summer and much more time is being spent outdoors in the glorious sunshine… although to be fair when you live on a tropical island, it can feel like summer all year round. With school out, children spend more time outdoors daily and many parents take vacation in the summer months to look after their charges and spend time with them.
Lasting memories are made by spending tranquil days at the beach, visiting local attractions, picnicking and playing outside. These activities are now even more prevalent given the added restrictions to overseas travel. Thus, with this increased exposure to the ultraviolet rays (UV) from sunlight it is important to know how to protect your skin from its dangers. To this end, August is observed as Summer Sun Safety Month and Better Health has compiled a list of tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe, while you have fun in the sun.
• Wear your sunblock
The first step to protecting your skin this summer is investing a good quality sunblock or sunscreen. As the name suggests, these products are designed to shield your skin from the sun’s UV rays.
These skin care products can protect you from both the UVA and UVB rays of the sun and have a specially calculated value called the sun protection factor (SPF).
This SPF value shows your level of UVB protection and is an indication of how quickly your skin will experience sunburn while wearing the sunscreen.
It is therefore recommended by skin care experts that sunscreens with SPF 30 and above be used for sun protection. Sunblock should be reapplied approximately every four hours, and worn even when you are indoors.
Children’s skin is also need of protection from the sun’s UV rays which means that sunblock should also be applied to children as well. You can start doing this after they are six months old because experts recommend that you avoid direct sun exposure for babies under six months of age. Use a mineral sunblock which is made with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide and has a high SPF. If the little ones will be going into the water, be sure that it’s also water resistant.
Note well however, that these products are not the same as sun tan lotion even though the terms are often used interchangeably. Sun tan lotion is made to aid the tanning process by increasing the absorption of the UV rays. The SPF value of these lotions is usually less than 15 and can range from SPF 4 to SPF 8.
• Keep well-covered
There is always a catch-22 when it comes to protective yet appropriate attire for summer. Temperatures rise on the outside and as such people prefer to wear shorter sleeves, dresses and pants especially when time will be spent outdoors for an extended period of time. Unfortunately, this gives your skin more exposure and increases the direct contact with the sunlight.
So, how do you solve this conundrum? In addition to the use of sunscreen, choose light fabrics which can still offer your skin and that of your little ones good coverage, while allowing the air to pass through. Cotton is the number one choice for hot weather but linen and rayon are good options as well.
Wearing a hat and shades can also add a measure of protection to your face against the sun’s UV rays. Allowing children to choose their own shades or wear hats their favourite characters should increase their willingness to put them on and keep them on.
• Opt for shade
Feeling the sunshine on your skin can be a glorious experience, especially if you’ve been indoors for a while and have not had the chance to enjoy outside for a while. There is nothing that beats the warmth of the Caribbean sun.
However, moderation is key. Too much of anything can be bad and this definitely applies to sunlight exposure.
It is therefore recommended that you consume your summer sun in moderation. Enjoy the outdoors from shaded patios or sit under umbrellas if you are in the open air. Where appropriate, use hats and parasols, particularly during the sun’s peak hours between 10 am and 3pm. You can also allow children to do their outdoor activities that fall outside of the peak hours to reduce their exposure to intense sunlight.
Life on a beautiful tropical island is meant to be enjoyed outdoors at times, but as you take in the natural beauty which this isle has to offer, remember these tip to help preserve your skin health.
