Protect yourself from the sun
With the arrival of warm summer weather and relaxed COVID-19 restrictions, we are all excited to spend time with family and friends soaking up the sun.
Increased exposure to harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation raises our risk for ageing and developing skin cancer. Here’s some tips to keep yourself protected.
• Wear a Broad Spectrum Sun cream
UV radiation from the sun includes two types of harmful rays. Ultraviolet A (UVA) Rays which are most common. UVA causes premature aging of the skin (e.g. wrinkles). Then we have Ultraviolet B (UVB) Rays, which are the most dangerous and cause sunburns. Overexposing your skin to both types of rays can cause skin cancer. SPF labelled as “broad spectrum” help protect against the effects of both UVA and UVB rays.
• Aim for a Suncream with at Least 30 SPF
A sun cream’s sun protection factor (SPF) indicates how much protection the product offers against UV radiation. An SPF of at least 30 blocks 97 percent of the sun’s rays – so the higher the better!
• No Sunscreen is Waterproof or Sweat Proof
Manufacturers can no longer advertise sunscreens as waterproof or sweat proof so it’s recommended to reapply your SPF every two hours, after getting out of the water, or after sweating.
• SPF is just part of your protection
We recommend combining SPF use with wearing protective clothing, staying in the shade when possible, and avoiding outdoor activities when the sun is most intense.
Safe Stay, Kim
