Ultraviolet radiations are invisible rays that form part of the energy coming from the sun. It consists of 3 types of rays, namely, ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB), and ultraviolet C (UVC). The 3 types of rays have different yet equally harmful effects on the skin in summer and, surprisingly, in winter as well! While you’re more likely to simply apply sunscreen, here are a few more tips to shield your skin from the damaging effects of UV rays.
1) Try to Avoid the Sun Between 10 Am and 2 PM
The strength of UV rays depends on various aspects, including time, reflective surfaces, and altitude. If you want to protect your skin, stay out of the sun between 10 am and 2 pm, when the sun is at its highest intensity. Sun exposure within these hours allows UV rays to reach inner skin layers and can damage skin cells and even develop skin cancer!
2) Seek Shade
While it’s nice to have a tan, excessive exposure to UV rays can damage the skin in as little as 15 minutes! To avoid skin problems, seek shade from hedges, trees or shadows from nearby buildings. What’s better than resting under a nice shady spot during summertime anyway?!
3) Look for UPF Tags on Fabrics
Your clothes do not simply make you look good, but they are also one of the most reliable methods of protection against UV rays. Make sure to look for clothes with UPF (Ultra Protection Factor) tags while shopping. This numerical rating given to clothing indicates how effectively the garment blocks and protects you from UV rays. For instance, fabrics with a UPF rating above 15 offer a good level of protection. However, try to look for those with UPF 50+, which ensures excellent protection by blocking over 97.5% of the sun’s UV rays.
4) Re-Apply Sunscreen Every 2 Hours
Using sunscreen will be your best defense. However, spending the day outdoors, swimming, sweating, and other activities can make your sunscreen slide off pretty quickly, leaving your skin unprotected. Hence, it is highly recommended to apply sunscreen every 2 hours to be fully protected. Additionally, including sunscreen in your skincare routine also helps in preventing premature skin aging signs such as wrinkles, age spots, and sagging.
Taking steps to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays is a year-round responsibility and should not be disregarded during wintertime!
