How to keep it “Fun in the Sun”
It is that time of year again - the coats and gloves are stored away, and the bikinis and sunglasses rise to the top of your drawers. Summertime has arrived. Along with the swimming, biking, and fun at the beach or pool, there are some very important factors to consider before heading out into the sun.
Sun protection is very important – and not just because of the immediate discomfort resulting from sunburn. In fact, the most important considerations are the long term effects of the sun’s damage to our skin. Dermatologists often tout the rule of SLIP, SLAP, SLOP:
Slip on a shirt
Slap on a hat
Slop on the sunscreen.
Whenever possible, you should avoid the sun between the hours on 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Consider planning indoor activities for your vacation during these peak sun hours. Or, at least find shade under an umbrella!
Clothing and wide brimmed hats can provide you with easy and convenient protection. Wear closely weaved material that is loose fitting. Many companies now sell UV (ultraviolet) protective clothing items. Wide brimmed hats that are wide enough to protect the face, ears, and neck are a great way to shield your head from some of the sun’s damaging rays. But hats alone will not protect you completely because reflections of the sun’s rays still reach you, so you still need to apply sunscreen.
Sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays also can provide sun protection. Glasses offering these features are more expensive, but are well worth the added cost. Macular degeneration, a progressive medical condition leading to loss of eyesight, is a direct result of the sun’s damage on the eyes.
Once you have packed the hats, umbrella, big shirts, and sun glasses, it’s time to choose a sunscreen. When we talk about the effects of sun exposure, we generally refer to UVA and UVB, ultraviolet A and B rays, specifically. Most of our sunburn and tanning come from UVB rays, however, we are learning that UVA rays cause more damage than previously thought. Therefore, it is important to protect against both.
Sunscreens come in two forms: chemical or physical. The chemical sunscreens absorb and scatter the UV rays and are usually more cosmetically appealing. Many different chemicals are used in theses sunscreens, and can be irritating to the skin or cause allergic reactions. Talk to your dermatologist about which one is best for you. The next category is the physical sunscreens. The active ingredient in this type is either titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, which serve to physically block the sun’s rays from hitting the skin. They are usually thicker and not as cosmetically pleasing. However, micronized forms of these products are much more user friendly. Several products are listed as “Broad Spectrum” and combine elements of both the chemical and physical sunscreens.
People always ask about which SPF to use. I recommend that you apply an SPF of 15 during the work day to protect against incidental sun exposure – such as walking outside, driving in the car, or sitting by a window. Much of the sun damage people incur is from incidental exposure. On the weekends and during summer vacations, an SPF of at least 30 is a must. The broad spectrum sunscreens and sunblocks are obviously more effective. But if you have sensitive skin, you may want to test them prior to liberal application since the different chemical composition may cause an allergic reaction or skin irritation.
Lastly, there has been a lot of press lately about the use of sunscreens and the risk of Vitamin D deficiency. The benefits of using sunscreens and sunblocks far outweigh this risk. We receive more than enough casual, incidental sun for our bodies to convert our Vitamin D.
Remember, sunscreens and sunblocks wash off. So don’t forget to reapply after swimming or sweating!
YOU CAN HAVE FUN IN THE SUN AND BE SAFE AFTER ALL!!!!