SUN │SAND │SKIN

Summer is just around the corner! Any plans yet? Being born and raised in a tropical country, my family just loves going to the beach to spend quality time while enjoying the sun, sand, and sea.

My brother and me enjoying the sun, sand, and sea of the Persian Gulf in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Although I love going to the beach, I am mindful of long exposures to the sun. As much as I can, I try to avoid it, which is close to impossible while on the beach. LOL.

Just how bad is the sun’s rays to the skin?

A dermatologist friend once told me that the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays are classified into three: UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVC does not enter the Earth’s atmosphere. Thanks to the Earth’s ozone layer! UVB causes burning. This is the type that can burn the skin darker during long exposures in the sun. On the other hand, UVA causes aging. Hence, even if one is in the shade under a tree or an umbrella, UVA still gets to seep through and can penetrate deep into the skin. The harmful effects of the UVA may be seen in 5 to 10 years time with the appearance of premature aging such as fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots.

Source: http://www.wikihow.com/Understand-the-Effects-of-Different-UV-Rays

That is why it is important to protect the skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun. Below are 5 ways to protect skin while basking in the sun, sand, and sea.

Stay in the shade during the sun’s peak hours and that is from 10 AM to 3 PM. This is the best time to have long talks with family, munch on light morning snacks, enjoy a cold beer, read a book, listen to music or just lazy around.

Wear white. White clothes reflect the sun’s rays, thereby, helping prevent the harmful UV rays from penetrating the skin.

Wear sunglasses and/or a hat to protect the face and eyes. Yes!  Our eyes need protection, too.

Wear a rash guard. I am not a big fan of rash guards but my brother is. He wears it to protect his tattoo from the sun’s rays and prevent fading and keep the colors true for longer.

Use sunscreen. According to my dermatologist friend, a good sunscreen should be able to protect skin from both UVA and UVB rays, that is, it should protect skin from aging and burning. The sun protection factor (SPF) should be at least SPF 30 and should be reapplied every 2 hours or after excessive sweating or swimming. For the face, use a product that is light and will not clog the pores.

Watch out for my next posts as I share the product that I use for sun protection.

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