Summer is here and so are it’s side effects such as skin tanning. Yes, summer is quite enjoyable with getting to visit the beach and having buckets of ice creams, but there are still some difficulties which accompany this season.
Skin tanning is one of the few problems one faces during summer. However, the good news is that one can avoid it by taking a few precautions. The 5 tips one should always remember and follow during this tremendously ’heat-y’ season are as follows:
1. Sunscreen a saviour:
Never, I repeat, never forget to put on your sunscreen whenever you’re going outside. Doesn’t matter if it’s cloudy or sunny, applying sunscreen is a must during this hot season. You should apply the sunscreen at least 15-20 mins before going outside. You should keep in mind to reapply sunscreen every two hours and every hour if you’re swimming or a habit of abnormal sweating.
2. Outdoor timing:
During summers, you should limit the time you’re outside between 10:00 am and 04:00 pm. This is because it’s during this time that the suns rays are the strongest. To know whether you should find shade, you should practice the shadow rule. Shadow rule is nothing but knowing when to take shelter by looking at your shadow. If your shadow is shorter than you, then, trust us, it’s time to hide!
3. Apparel check:
Try and wear clothes which expose little skin. That is, you should wear long sleeves, shirts/tops and full pants to protect your skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun. You should wear dark clothing with tightly woven fabric as it helps in blocking the sun’s rays more than when you’re wearing white clothes with loss woven fabric.
4. Accessorise to protect:
To protect your eyes and face and ears, you should accessorise your clothes with sunglasses and hats. This helps you in protecting the critical areas of the body and the ones which have a high risk of getting affected by the UV rays of the sun.
5. Be aware:
If you are under medication, please be mindful of the ones which make your skin extra sensitive to the sun. There are few medications such as some antibiotics and over-the-counter medications that make your skin more prone to the risks of sun’s UV rays.
Drugs such as antihistamines, such as Benadryl; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like aspirin or ibuprofen, can make your skin extra sensitive. Certain antibiotics, including Bactrim or Tetracycline, antidepressants and antipsychotics which can cause your skin to be vulnerable. Also, some oral diabetic medications are a few examples of medicines which can cause your skin to be more sensitive to sunlight. In case you’re on medications, consult your doctor or pharmacist to know more about the side effects of the drugs you’re taking.
Summer is a season where people have a high chance of acquiring some skin disease due to the harmful rays of the sun. However, taking care by following the points mentioned above can definitely help you to avoid such situations.
What are you doing to protect yourself from summer tanning? Let us know!
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