With summer in full swing, it’s important to take proactive measures in protecting yourself from the harmful rays emitted by the sun. Overexposure to UV rays can lead to various health issues such as painful sunburns, premature aging of the skin, vision problems, and damaged hair.
You really can’t take it for granted that you won’t end up with problems if you don’t take preventative measures against the sun this summer. When you understand how to protect yourself, you will realize that it can easily become a part of your routine. In this article, we will explore effective ways of shielding ourselves against UV damage.
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Eye protection
When spending time outdoors, protecting your eyes is crucial due to the intense brightness of sunlight. It is essential to make sure that you are not doing permanent damage to your eyes with repeated exposure to the sun.
Wearing a pair of sunglasses is an essential part of your summer wardrobe but not just for their style. They not only reduce glare from reflective surfaces like water or pavement but also prevent long-term damage caused by overexposure to UV radiation. If you wear prescription glasses or contact lenses, investing in a pair of prescription sunglasses for women becomes essential.
Always opt for sunglasses labeled with 100% UVA/UVB protection or those offering maximum coverage against both types of UV rays. The best protection comes from wrap-around styles as they provide better peripheral protection by blocking stray light from reaching your eyes.
Skin protection
Our skin serves as a protective barrier for our bodies but requires additional care when exposed to the scorching sun. Excessive exposure to harmful UV radiation can result in painful sunburns and increase the risk of developing serious conditions such as skin cancer.
It’s a myth that you should get a base tan as quickly as possible to avoid skin problems. You may reduce the risk of a sunburn but you are opening yourself up to the risk of skin cancer.
Instead, apply sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30 or higher before going outside. This applies even on cloudy days when UV rays can still penetrate through clouds. Remember to reapply every two hours, or more frequently if you are swimming.
Hair care
You don’t often think that your hair needs protection from the sun. However, getting too much sun can weaken hair strands over time and cause dryness and breakage. UV radiation can also lead to color fading in dyed hair while causing scalp burns in those with thinning or exposed scalps.
Try to use hair products specifically designed to protect the hair from the damaging effects of UV radiation. Look for leave-in conditioners containing SPF ingredients as they minimize moisture loss while protecting your hair from harsh sunlight.
Wearing hats when spending a lot of time outside on sunny days provides not only shade for your face but also protects your scalp. Scalp protection is also good for your hair as a damaged scalp will end up causing problems for your hair health as well.