Protecting yourself from the sun isn’t only important in the summer. Most of us tend to put sunscreen away around the same time as our bathing suits are readied for storage. Damaging UVA and UVB rays continue throughout the year, regardless of season and sun damage to the skin is cumulative. Looking for ways to continue to protect yourself from the sun as we head into autumn? Consider these suggestions:
Sunscreen
Most of us get into the routine of adding sunscreen before we go out in the summer, but sunscreen should be worn year-round to prevent sunburns and to protect your skin from the sun. Ever see a ski bum with what look like permanent goggles on the face? Snow reflects light and may actually cause you to burn faster than in the summer. If you work outdoors or are exposed to a lot of natural light, a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or higher is recommended. Ladies, consider using a moisturizing sunscreen as a base for your makeup. Skip the makeup that contains SPFs because you would have to use way more makeup than you normally would to achieve the desired protection. Remember to reapply sunscreen at least every two hours throughout your day.
Sun Glasses
Sun glasses aren’t just fashionable accessories. Like sunscreen, sunglasses with UVA/UVB protections should be worn year-round, even on overcast or hazy days. The coating that blocks UV radiation is clear, so the color of the lenses won’t be affected. Keep in mind, though, that yellow or rose tinted lenses can make it difficult to distinguish color changes in traffic lights. If you find yourself having to frequently remove your shades to see distances or read, consider getting prescription lenses; retailers like Reading Glasses offer reader sunglasses and bifocal styles, enabling you to keep your eyes optimally covered no matter the task at hand. And remember, protecting the retinas and pupils are especially important for children, as sunglasses will help protect their developing eyes.
Window Tint
Like sunglasses for your car windows, window tint can reject UV rays you would otherwise be exposed to. If your area has laws against tinted windows, there are clear options available to reflect UV radiation without darkening your windows.
Dress for Success
The general rule is that, if you can see light through cloth when you hold it up, your fabric isn’t doing much to shield your skin from UV rays. Choose fabrics with tight weave, such as polyester, and fabrics with heavy weight natural fibers such as cotton. Choose a long sleeve that breathes well over a short sleeve for added protection. Shirts with collars can help protect your neck. Long pants of canvas may be a bit warmer than Bermuda shorts, but will provide exponentially more protection from damaging rays. There are also options to help make your existing clothing more UV resistant. Laundry additives such as SunGuard wash an UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) of 30 or more into your clothes and last for up to 20 washes. The single most important thing to wear, though, could be your hat. Not only will a hat with a full brim help protect your scalp, ears and neck from the UVA rays that cause cancer, it will help keep those same rays away from your face … and these are four of the most common places for skin cancer to appear.
Altitude’s Effect
If you live, work, or play at higher altitudes, you are especially susceptible to skin damage from the sun’s rays. For each 1,000 feet above sea level, UV radiation increases 4%. Skiing your favorite 14-er in the Rockies nets in 56% more radiation exposure than a day at a sea-level beach. If you’re hitting the slopes, choose a wide-brimmed hat over a stocking cap and coat exposed skin with a thick level of broad spectrum sunblock at least 15 minutes before going outside. Choose goggles that offer UVA/UVB ray protection. Consider these same guidelines for other winter activities such as cross-country skiing, sledding, and ice skating.
This is a guest post written for Yourwellness by Noel McGill.