Seek the shade. Limit your time in the direct sunlight and look for a tree, umbrella or another shelter, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Put on the sunscreen before you go outside. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. It’s important to wear sunscreen even on slightly cloudy or cooler days as the sun’s harmful rays can penetrate through the clouds. You will need to reapply every hour or so if you’re swimming, sweating or toweling off. Many lip balms and cosmetics have SPF, so it’s good to seek out those products for additional protection.
Find some protective sunglasses. Sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays offer the best protection, reducing the risk of your eye’s developing cataracts and protecting the delicate skin around your eyes. Wear sunglasses even when it’s partly cloudy out.
Wear a hat that has a wide brim. Hats that provide shade to your face, ears and neck offer the most protection. Baseball caps are great for covering your head, but exposure your ears and the back of your neck to damaging sun exposure. Put sunscreen on those areas when wearing a baseball cap.
Cover up with long-sleeve shirts and pants. Dark colors typically offer more protection than lighter colors. Some clothing is certified with ultraviolet protection. It doesn’t always make sense to cover up when it’s hot outside, so at least wear a T-shirt or swimsuit cover-up and keep applying the sunscreen.
Avoid indoor and outdoor tanning. Laying out or using a tanning bed or sun lamp is not good for the health of your skin and may lead to sunburn, hyperpigmentation and premature aging. It also puts you at greater risk for skin cancer.
If you have more questions about sun safety and treatments to reverse the effects of the sun’s harmful rays on your skin, schedule an appointment by calling (818) 662-5005 to be seen in one of our offices in Glendale, Encino and Irvine.
