Since the first long weekend of spring has just rolled around, it’s a good time to remember the importance of avoiding direct exposure to the sun. Not only does it damage your skin, but chronic sun exposure is the single most important risk factor for contracting skin cancer.
If you’re a sun worshipper, you risk getting a lot more than a nasty sunburn. Every year, at least one out of seven people will be diagnosed with a non-life-threatening form of the disease and rates are going up worldwide.
Sun Safety Tips
Even if you’re a nature lover, you can still follow these tips for safe outdoor activities with the latest in UV protection technology:
- Cover up in the sun–Wearing clothes that are loose fitting , tightly woven, and lightweight will protect you from the sun. NOZONE Clothing is a Canadian company that produces sun protective clothing for children and adults with the highest possible rating of Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) 50+. The clothing line includes bathing suits, shirts, shorts, and pants that provide maximum protection from solar radiation.
- Apply sunscreen–Sunscreens should be applied to dry skin 15-30 minutes before going outdoors. When using sunscreen, be sure to apply it to all exposed areas and pay particular attention to your face, ears, hands, and arms. If you suffer breakouts from sunscreen, try a light alternative like Coppertone® NutraShield™. Coppertone NutraShield Faces is a non-oily lotion that combines ultraviolet (UV) protection with the highest sun protection factor (SPF) of 70. Special antioxidants not only protect your skin from UV rays but also help naturally repair skin damage.
- Wear protective lenses–Long hours in the sun without protecting your eyes may increase your chances of developing eye disease. UV blocking sunglasses can help protect your eyes from sun damage. The ideal sunglasses should block 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB radiation. You can also go one step further with UV blocking contact lenses that provide added protection by blocking sunlight that may enter the cornea from the top, bottom, or sides of sunglasses.