Staying Safe In The Sun

However long you spend in the sun you are putting your skin at risk, for many, a sun tan is a sign of a healthy glow, in fact, it is a sign of damage and severe sunburn increases the risk of developing skin cancer later in life. People with fair skin, moles and freckles, fair hair or light-coloured hair are most prone to skin cancer, and this time of year to September is the time to be aware of your skin health.

From May to September, ultraviolet (UV) rays are strongest, therefore this period has the greatest risk and you can still burn easily even on the coolest of days. Therefore, no matter how long you spend outdoors it is important to stay in the shade where you can and make sure that
you avoid burning by protecting yourself by wearing suitable clothing, sunglasses and sun cream of at least factor 30, reapplied regularly.
While we need sunshine to maintain healthy levels of vitamin D, sensible precautions should be taken, think about the following:

Clothing
You are what you wear and if you are feeling hot, hot, hot it is most likely because you are
not suitably dressed, with a little planning you can feel comfortable and look great as well as beat the summer heat. Choose light coloured-clothing which reflects sunlight, wear natural cotton which allows your body to sweat more freely, and loose clothing allows the body to breathe – sandals can help your feet breathe.

Sun Cream
With your skin vulnerable to UV light, look to using the right sun cream and applying it in the right way – use a sun cream that offers a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30 – sun cream is on a scale of 2 to 50+ – the higher the factor number, the higher the protection – and which covers UVA and UVB rays. When it comes to sun cream you need to reapply it routinely to ensure adequate cover.

Sunglasses
UV light can have a damaging effect on eyes, it is important to teach children not to look directly at the sun, and whatever your age or that of your children, check that the sunglasses you choose to wear are suitably certified – look out for the Conformité Européenne (CE) mark to ensure you know the sunglasses meet the current highest industry standards – sunglasses, remember are much more than an accessory.

Keeping It Cool

When it comes to keeping cool in hot weather there some easy to follow top tips:

Avoid spending large periods of time outside during
 the hottest time of the day, 11.00am to 3.00pm

Limit strenuous activities to early in the morning, or
during the evening when temperatures are cooler

Choose loose, lightweight and light-coloured cotton clothing

Shut windows when it is cooler inside than it is outside

Drink plenty of fluids, even if you do not feel thirsty,
make sure you have a bottle of water with you