Protect your Skin During the Summer Heat

As the summer season approaches, more outdoor activities in the sun will be taking place. With that being said, it is important to understand the precautions you must take in order to protect yourself from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, unprotected exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can cause damage to your skin. This damage can lead to premature skin aging or skin cancer.

Your melanin can protect you from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, your melanin absorbs the dangerous UV rays that can do serious skin damage. The reason a sunburn occurs is because the UV damage surpasses the protection that your melanin can provide.

It is recommended to have a small amount of sun exposure but too much sun exposure can be incredibly detrimental to your health.

Here are some tips from the American Academy of Dermatology on how to protect yourself from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

• Apply a water-resistant broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to exposed skin. A broad spectrum sunscreen protects you from UVA and UVB rays. Re-apply this sunscreen every 2 hours.
• Wear clothing that will protect your skin, for example: pants, long-sleeve shirts, hats, and sunglasses.
• Protect your lips by wearing a lip balm that has an SPF of at least 15.
• Be cautious when you are near snow, water, and sand. Water, snow, and sand can reflect the sun’s ultraviolet rays and increase your risk for a sunburn.
• Seek shade around 10am to 4pm around this time the sun’s ultraviolet rays are at its strongest.