How To Keep Skin Safe For Summer
The best time of the year has to be the summer. There is no other time like it - all those lazy hazy hot days spent outside enjoying the sun and the surf. It's even more true for children as they can finally get outside and enjoy youthful exuberance.
But the burning hot sun brings with it the need to keep your skin safe as well as your children's. How should you go about doing that? Let's read on to see some tips on sun safety for you and your kids.
1. Don't Forget to Put On Sunscreen Appropriately
Did you know that most of us are putting on sunscreen wrongly and we are only getting 40% of the SPF protection we think we are getting? If you think you know how to put sunscreen on, think again. There's no point putting on sunscreen if you don't follow the tips laid out below.
Reapply Consistently
You might have heard this admonition many times before, but the truth you get distracted and before you know it, the whole day has passed by without you reapplying sunscreen. Well, sunscreen needs to be reapplied every 2 hours and immediately after you go swimming or sweat excessively. This is crucial when it comes to sun safety for kids, as they will need you to remember for them.
Also, don't forget that you need to apply sunscreen 30 minutes before you venture outside, because it needs that much time to bind to your skin and start working.
Don't Forget These Crucial Spots
The common places that people miss when applying sunscreen are eyelids, ears, lips, scalp, top of your feet, and places near the edge of clothing, like straps, etc. Now that you know, make sure you apply sunscreen appropriately to all these missed spots.
Use Double the Amount You Normally Use
You need to put on 2mg of sunscreen by square centimetre of skin - this is double what people normally put on themselves. In fact, it's usually recommended that you should put on at least a shotglass worth of sunscreen on your body. More if you are taller or have more skin to cover.
Wear the Right SPF for You
SPF 50 should protect someone from 98% of UV rays, but only if reapplied consistently and in a thick layer over your skin. Wear a minimum of SPF 30 when you are going about your day, and SPF 50 if you are at the beach or the pool. Avoid buying sunscreen with an SPF lower than 30. You might think it will protect you, but the protection it offers is too minor for the modern sun.
Don't Avoid Sunscreen if You Have Sensitive Skin
If you are the kind of person who prioritizes non-toxic skin products (to reduce the chemicals going into your body), then you don't need to avoid sunscreen completely. This applies also if you have sensitive skin. Use Oncoderm's BodyRx Mineral Lotion Sunscreen with SPF 30. It's free of fragrance, oil, parabens, phthalates, and oxybenzone, and a great option for people with special needs.
2. Wear Hats When outside
Your child might hate it when you plop that sunhat on their head, but it's extremely important for sun safety. Even if you have put sunscreen on your child's face, a sunhat will protect them even further from the ravages of the summer sun. Also, if you are running around and don't have time to reapply sunscreen right away, a sunhat will at least protect them temporarily.
3. Avoid Going outside during the Hottest Hours
When you are on a beach vacation or a holiday, it's hard to avoid going outside during the hottest hours. But if you can stay inside during those hours, please do. The sun is at its hottest during these times, and it's more likely to cause skin damage.
If you can't help being outside during these hot hours, make sure you seek out shade as much as you can. Sit under trees or carry an umbrella with you, as they do in the hot Asian countries. It might look silly, but it works!
4. Wear Protective Clothing
Have you heard of UV-protection clothing? It's the latest thing in sun safety for kids, and adults, and it's something you will want to grab for your family's sun protection asap. These specialized clothing items have UV protection built into them, so that means that your skin will be protected from the sun. If you are going for a long hike, you will want to wear long-sleeved UV protected clothing.
It's also a great way to ensure sun safety for autistic children who might not like the feel of sunscreen on their face or skin. It might be easier to get them into these UV protected clothing, still saving them from the ravages of the harsh summer sun.
5. Put On Those Sunglasses
You might have sunglasses lying around in your purse or car somewhere, but you always forget to put them on. Your eyes are quite sensitive to the sun's UV rays and need to be protected appropriately to avoid problems later on in life. The same applies to the sensitive eyes of your children - buy sunglasses for them and have them wear it whenever you are outdoors in the sun.
Even if it seems like you are going overboard, it's necessary. The damage that you get from the sun right now will stay with you your entire life. If you can protect your children from these ravages even a little bit, it's highly worth it.
Keep Your Skin Safe by Following the Sun Safety Tips Above
Now you know more about how to keep your skin safe from the summertime sun. It isn't just about getting wrinkles or sun spots. Skin damage has harsher consequences like skin cancer, melanoma, and more.
If you would like more advice on how to keep yourself and your family safe and healthy, take this opportunity to chat with one of our experts. Book a consultation today!
