It’s a known fact that the Sun’s light does us a lot of good. It’s one of the main reasons why we’re producing vitamin D; it helps photosynthesis in plants, and it’s the energy source that makes our Earth inhabitable. It’s also one of the main reasons why we’re able to enjoy a nice vacation by the sea, and it positively affects our mood.
But, given all the damage we’ve done to the Ozone layer in the past, the Sun’s rays are affecting our health, sometimes in a negative way as well. The main concern is the effect it has on our skin, and how that can turn against us and often cause skin cancer and other skin conditions we’ve never heard of before. But don’t worry, there is a way to enjoy a nice vacation without having to worry about getting a deadly disease. In the text below, we’ll discuss some ways in which you can protect yourself and your skin.
Wear Protective Clothing
You’ve probably wondered how usually desert beduins seem overdressed for their environment and how you’d probably suffer from a heat stroke wearing those layers of clothing. What people don’t get is that sometimes wearing more is better when it comes to protecting yourself from the harsh heat of the Sun. Protective clothing blocks the Sun’s rays and their direct contact with your skin, and the less you’re exposed to them, the less you’ll feel warm or hot.
The trick is to find something baggy and big enough so that air can cool your body down effectively. We advise linen or cotton shirts and long sleeves, cotton and linen trousers, and of course, the parts of the body exposed to the sun, like your hands, feet, and face, should be protected with sunscreen, which brings us to the next point.
Sunscreen Daily
The use of sunscreen has revolutionized the way we protect ourselves from the heat and the sun’s direct rays in contact with our skin. The concept of sunscreen has been known to people before and different types of animal-fat-based sunscreen protection have been used by the ancient Egyptians to protect from bad sunburn while spending hours in the open.
Nowadays, you can choose from a variety of different brands and the best part is that you can use a sunscreen stick, as they’re usually more portable and compact and you can apply them more easily. It’s a great way to have it with you at all times without having to spread it all over your face with your hands. Sunscreen has also been shown to protect your face from aging and those who wear it daily have shown signs of better-looking skin without wrinkles or brown spots than those negligent of its usage.
Don’t Rush Into the Sun
We do understand you love sunbathing and exposing yourself to the rays of the sun while in the open, such as in your garden or maybe by the sea on a nice-looking beach. Nevertheless, there is a time when this sort of sunbathing is the most productive and those are usually the early morning hours and late afternoon hours, making it possible to enjoy the sun without having to risk getting skin cancer or aging at a faster rate than others.
Don’t rush into the sun when the heat is at its worst, and make sure to choose the right time. The worst part of the day would be the hours between 12 o’clock and 16 o’clock, as that’s usually when the heat is at its peak.
Being aware of and taking the necessary steps against the negative effects of sun exposure can make quite a difference. We all love it when the weather is nice and warm and the sun is doing us a favor with its heat so we can swim, play sports, and enjoy a relaxing and cool afternoon. However, skin cancer is most often related to too much sun exposure without taking the necessary protective measures. Be smart!
