We all love to venture around at the pool or beach, spend time on a river trip or in the mountains during the onset of summer. But prolonged exposure to the sun can increase the risks of skin damage from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. On a cloudy day, up to 80 per cent of the sun’s harmful rays can affect our skin, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. And damage from UV rays may lead to skin cancer.
Dermatologists recommend avoiding sun exposure as much as possible. Even if you go out, don’t forget to apply sunscreen. The next best thing is to cover your skin with proper fabric that offers UV protection.
Here are some measures you can follow to protect yourself from the invading rays of Sun:
Dense fabric
Layers of clothing don’t necessarily provide enough sun protection. Most of the time the most important aspect to look for in fabric is weave density— the more compact the knit of the clothing, the smaller the holes and the fewer UV rays can get through. Go for long-sleeved shirts and pants for better coverage.
Dark or bright colours
UV rays get better absorbed by Darker colours than light colours like white and pastel. absorb more UV than lighter colours like whites and pastels. Thus, choosing a darker or a vivid colour will give you more protection than a pale one.
Sunscreen
Any areas of skin that is visible to sunlight should be covered in sunscreen. Sunscreen is an essential step to prevent further damage to the skin. Any sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher does the work, make sure to reapply after some hours.
Face and Eye Protection
Wear sun hats or caps or simply wrap a scarf around your face and neck that will protect your face as well as the back of your neck.
Opt for sunglasses having 99-100 per cent UV protection, as eyes are highly sensitive to the sun’s rays. Wraparound glasses are also preferable since they keep light from shining around the frames and into your eyes.
Text by: Ipsita Ghosh, IBTN9
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