A favorite part of summer for many people is spending more time outdoors and in the sun, but it’s important to think about how to protect your skin to prevent sun damage.
Dr. Ida Orengo, Professor of Dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine, offers several ways you can incorporate sunscreen into your everyday life this summer.
“Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in humans, so it is important that we do everything we can to protect ourselves,” Orengo said.
Take advantage of the sunscreen options
Sunscreen is the most common way to protect your skin from ultraviolet rays. Orengo recommends wearing SPF 30 or higher sunscreen when spending time outdoors on a sunny day.
While there have been concerns recently that some sunscreens contain benzene, Orengo said it is an ingredient that was developed during the manufacturing process and is primarily found in certain spray or gel sunscreens. Despite the ingredients, she emphasizes the importance of continuing to wear sunscreen, especially when spending time outdoors.
“Overall, we still recommend sunscreen for preventing melanoma, which can be fatal, and for anti-aging,” Orengo said. “That’s the main reason for wearing sunscreen – to prevent aging, photodamage and skin cancer.”
If ingredients are a problem, she recommends finding a physically blocking sunscreen made from zinc oxide or titanium dioxide that creates a barrier on the skin that reflects UV rays and is an alternative to chemical sunscreens. Other options for sun protection include using a daily moisturizer that contains SPF after you wash your face in the morning. There are also products like Klenskin shower gel that contain sunscreen for the shower.
Don’t forget to put on sunscreen every two hours outdoors.
Avoid the sun during peak hours
The sun is highest in Houston between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you plan to take part in outdoor activities, Orengo recommends planning them outside of this window to reduce the chance of sun damage.
If you plan to be outside during peak hours, it is important to prepare yourself with sunscreen, protective clothing, and an option for shade.
“We advise people not to go out during the most intense times of the day and to do things like running before 10am and after 4pm,” she said. “One tip is to check your shadow. If your shadow is short, it means that the sun is directly above you and it is most intense. Then you should look for shade. ”
Wear protective clothing
In the sun, Orengo recommends wearing clothes with tightly woven fabrics that shield the sun, or finding sun shirts or jackets with a sun protection factor. Although summer may seem too warm to wear long sleeves, she said that most sun shirts and jackets are made out of breathable fabrics to block out the sun and keep you cool. Another option is to wash your summer wardrobe in a detergent that provides UV protection to clothing, such as Sunguard.
You can always have sunscreen on hand by keeping a sun shirt or jacket in your car if you suddenly decide to spend time outdoors, she said.
“The fabric you wear has to be tightly woven, so materials like linen aren’t the best for protecting your skin,” she said. “Finding a polyester-cotton blend will work best.”
Orengo recommends wearing a hat with a brim at least three inches wide in addition to proper clothing to protect your head and neck. Look for sunglasses with UV protection to prevent damage to the eyes or the development of early cataracts and skin cancers around the eye. Since the feet are often overlooked when applying sunscreen, be sure to put sunscreen on your feet or wear shoes that cover the tops of your feet.
Consider nutritional supplements
Certain vitamin supplements can also provide protection from the sun. Orengo said the most common ingredient in dietary supplements is a form of vitamin B3 called nicotinamide.
She recommends taking 500 mg twice a day and consulting your doctor before taking any new dietary supplement.
“In a study of nicotinamide, the researchers found that it caused a 30% reduction in skin cancer,” she said.
Find out more about how you can protect your skin this summer here.
source https://outdoorsportsnews.com/tips-to-protect-your-skin-this-summer/
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