How To Stay Safe Under The Sun
When all your friends are frolicking under the noonday sun, mom’s skincare commandments tend to fly right out the window as you rush to join your pals. Then, when your skin is burned to a crisp, do you wish you had remembered to at least slather on some sunblock before your fryfest? It’s OK, it happens to the best of us—next time you’re out in the sun, simply follow these tips to care for your skin.
Get a dose of morning sun.
The sun’s been getting a lot of bad press lately—but did you know that a little sun exposure every morning (or about thrice a week) is actually healthy? About 15 minutes unprotected exposure early in the day (probably the time it takes to walk from the carpark to your office/school, water the plants, or walk the dog around the block) provides you with natural vitamin D, and literally puts you in a sunshine-y mood.
Sunscreen is your friend.
While a little sun is good for you, too much exposure can wreak havoc on your skin, or worse, cause skin cancer. It may not be apparent when you’re young, but as you age, the signs of sun damage begin to show: wrinkles and fine lines, dry and rough skin, sun spots, uneven skin tone—and you can’t turn back the hands of time. So while you’re young, start the habit of applying sunscreen daily: protect to have no regrets! When in the city, SPF15 to 30 will do. Tip: if you don’t like applying too many layers on your skin, choose makeup and body lotion that already includes SPF for a lighter alternative. At the beach or during outdoor activities, broad spectrum sunscreen (against both UVA and UVB rays) with SPF45 and above, reapplied every two hours, should keep your skin safe and sunburn-free.
Head for the shade.
The hours between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (strictly speaking,10 a.m. to 4 p.m.!) are when the sun’s rays are most brutal (yes, even on cloudy days), so take a break from your outdoor activities and run for cover! Have a long, leisurely lunch, and then don’t forget to reapply your sunblock before you head back out into the sun. If you can’t help but be in the sun during these times, make sure to wear a hat, cool clothing, and load up on the sunblock!
Get an even tan.
If you want to sport a nice, golden glow—not the painful lobster look—then short, frequent sun exposures are more effective (and kinder on your skin) than sudden, extended sun worshipping, which may be a shock to your skin. Now you have an excuse to spend more days at the beach! Start tanning bright and early so you can take a break when the sun turns fierce at midday. Apply tanning lotion with UV protection evenly (please don’t use beer or non-tanning oil which may burn your skin and cause unsightly boils). Taking long walks along the shore or playing volleyball actually helps you achieve a more even tan than reclining on a beach lounge, thanks to the reflection of the water/fine sand. Ready to call it a day? Rub your skin (or even just your feet) with the fine, powdery sand that acts as a natural exfoliant for smooth, glowing skin.
Saving your crowning glory.
While diligently applying sunblock on your skin, don’t forget to protect your hair! The combination of sun, salt water/chlorine, harsh wind, and pollutants can turn your hair dry, dull, brittle, and unmanageable, or worse, dehydrate your scalp and cause dandruff. Before a swim, coat your hair with conditioner—it may look a little silly at first, but your hair will thank you, and pretty soon, your friends will be following your lead. Back at home, be sure to switch to a shampoo that replenishes moisture and keeps hair healthy during the hot and humid summer months. At the first sign of an itchy scalp, reach for a mild dandruff shampoo, preferably with menthol to cool your scalp and ease the itch while keeping dandruff at bay.
With the right habits and products, you can have fun in the sun while staying gorgeously safe this summer!
