How to avoid a sunburn

Spending time outdoors can be fun, however what is not at all is getting a sunburn. The latter is not only synonymous with temporary pain: such burning increases your risk of developing skin cancer and aging it prematurely. If you want to avoid sunburn, first apply sunscreen properly and limit your exposure.

1- Use sunscreen

1Choose a broad spectrum sunscreen. The sun produces two types of ultraviolet (UV) rays: UVA and UVB. UVB can burn your skin, while UVA causes premature aging in the form of wrinkles and blackheads. For better protection, you should use a sunscreen that protects against both types of rays. Check the label to make sure that the protection provided is broad-spectrum.

2 Select an appropriate protection index. The degree of protection indicates the degree of protection of your skin against UVB compared to if you do not wear sunscreen. For example, if your skin usually takes 20 minutes to blush, a 15-fold sunscreen will prevent you from sunburn for 15 times longer [2]. You should use a product with a minimum protection rating of 15.

• If you plan to spend only a few minutes here and there in the sun, a facial moisturizer or aftershave index 15 is usually enough to prevent sunburn.
• If you are very active and plan to spend a large part of the day outdoors, it is better to choose a water-resistant sunscreen with a higher degree of protection, for example 30.
• If you have pale and sensitive skin that burns easily, it is better to use a cream of index 50.

3 Check the expiry date. Sun creams lose their effectiveness over time, so it is important to use one that is always able to protect your skin. The expiry date is usually printed somewhere on the vial. Check that the product is always good to use.

• Most sun creams are good for about 3 years after purchase. As you must apply regularly, you will probably finish the tube before the expiry date.

4 Apply it generously. If you do not apply enough sunscreen, you will not get the benefits you expect and you may end up with a sunburn. For better protection, you should apply 30 grams of sunscreen to cover your entire body, not to mention your face, ears and scalp

• Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside so that your skin has time to absorb the ingredients.
• For some creams to be effective, you have to apply a certain amount. Always check the instructions to make sure you apply enough.

5 Renew the cream application regularly. If you stay in the sun for a long time, your cream will leave and you will be exposed to sunburn again. To keep your skin protected, you must apply it every two hours when you are in the sun. If you are bathing or sweating a lot, wipe and then renew your sunscreen application [6].

• Since you have to renew the cream regularly, you can expect to use ¼ to half a 200 ml bottle of sunscreen if you spend a long day at the beach. Make sure you have enough cream to apply regularly.
• Spray sunscreens are often easier to apply, so they are a better option.
• If you wear makeup, powdered sunscreens will be more practical to reapply because they will not interfere with your foundation, concealer or other facial products in the same way as conventional sunscreen.

 

2-Avoid exposure to the sun

1 Avoid staying in the sun during the hottest hours. The UV rays of the sun are the strongest between 10 am and 4 pm and it is at this time of the day that you are most at risk of sunburn. If you stay indoors in the middle of the day, you avoid these dangerous rays and protect your skin. If you can, schedule your outdoor activities such as taking out the dog or mowing the lawn in the morning before 10 am or in the evening after 4 pm.

• If you do not know the strength of UV rays, examine your shadow. When your shadow is longer than you, you are not too exposed to UV rays. On the other hand, when your shadow is smaller than you, you are highly exposed and you should stay indoors.
• If you have to go outside when the sun is at its zenith, try to limit this time spent outside. The less you expose yourself, the less you risk getting sunburned.

2 Dress properly. It may happen that you have to go out even during the worst hours of the day. In this case, it is essential that you cover yourself with the appropriate clothing to prevent sunburn. A long-sleeved shirt and pants cover the skin more than a tank top and shorts, so these clothes can block the sun. The more your skin is covered by your clothes, the more protected you will be .

Loose knitwear and synthetic fabrics like lycra, nylon and acrylic provide better protection from the sun.

Dark clothing helps to block more sunlight than light clothing.

Some clothes are made of a fabric equipped with a sun protection. Their label specifies the UV protection factor (UPV), so as to inform of its effectiveness in blocking the sun’s rays. Choose clothes with a minimum UPV of 30 to provide effective protection.

3 Use accessories to protect your head and eyes. The right hat should not only be stylish, but also protect your scalp from a possible sunburn. Remember to put on a pair of sunglasses before going through the door, as it is a little complicated to apply sunscreen around the eyes .

• A baseball cap or visor can provide protection from the sun, but a hat with a large flange of at least 10 cm is preferable because it will house your scalp, eyes, ears and neck .
• Choose sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection to protect your eyes from UVA and UVB.
• Make sure your sunglasses look good and do not slip along your nose, exposing your eyes to the sun.

4 Stay in the shade. When you have to go outside, choose places not exposed to the sun, such as shading a large leafy tree. If you are going to a place where there is not really any natural shade, such as a beach, bring an umbrella, a portable awning or a tent to shelter you .

• Being in the shade is not a complete protection against the sun, because you still receive an indirect light that is reflected on the surrounding surfaces. So you should wear protective clothing and sunscreen anyway to avoid sunburn.

5 Do not try to get a basic tan. Some people think that if their skin is tanned, it will not burn under the action of the sun and they try to get a minimum of tanning to protect themselves. However, tanning is not a real protection against the sun and tanning on a regular basis, whether in the sun or tanning booth, may permanently damage your skin. You should avoid it .

• If you want to take colors, the only safe way would be to spray a self-tanning product on the skin. However, keep in mind that artificial tanning provides no protection against the sun. You should therefore continue to protect your skin with sunscreen and other preventive measures.

Advice

• Remember to also apply sunscreen on cloudy days. UV rays penetrate through the clouds.
• You are also likely to get sunburn in the winter, so you should apply sunscreen to the ski when you take snow or when you walk your dog in cold weather.
• If you take a sunburn, know that aloe vera gel is a non-toxic product that will bring you great relief. Buy this product in a tube and apply it on your skin. You do not need to scrub because your skin will absorb the product itself.

warnings

• Sunburn is associated with melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer. However, regular exposure to the sun that does not give sunburn is still likely to damage the skin and increase the risk of other types of skin cancer.
• Pay attention to the medications you are taking, including natural remedies. Photosensitivity is often one of the possible side effects.
• The sun is likely to cause sunburn, but also sunstroke and heat stroke. If you have nausea, vomiting, blisters, chills, fatigue or weakness in addition to your sunburn, consult.
• The more your sunscreen has a high degree of protection, the more likely the product is to be harmful to you in terms of chemical content. If you are concerned, you could opt for natural sunscreens that contain zinc or non-chemical ingredients, or reduce the sun protection factor and focus more on a large hat, loose clothing and shaded areas.