Three Top Tips For UV Protection This Summer

Sun exposure is very harmful to our skin. Sun rays cause wrinkles, dark spots, freckles and even cancer. The most important thing during the hottest months of the year is to protect yourself from the sun rays. There are various ways to keep your skin safe from the harmful effects of the sun.

In this blog post we’ll be discussing some effective methods to protect your skin whilst you enjoy the summer heat;

1. Use sunscreen lotions

Sunscreen is essential for protecting yourself from harmful UV rays. But what type of sunscreen should you use? Should you choose a broad spectrum or a specific formula? And what does each option offer?

Broad spectrum sunscreens protect against both UVA and UVB rays. These types of sunscreens are recommended for daily use, since they provide protection over a wide range of wavelengths. However, these products tend to be pricier than other options.

Specific formulas are designed to block just one wavelength of light. These sunscreens are ideal for outdoor activities where you’ll spend most of your time outside during daylight hours. However, they aren’t recommended for everyday use because they don’t offer the same level of protection as broad spectrum sunscreens.

One thing to remember is that you should always be reapplying sunscreen every 1.5- 2 hours. If you’re going to be swimming or sweating heavily apply sunscreen even more regularly. Sunscreen doesn’t work very well when it gets wet, so you might want to avoid those situations altogether or have someone remind you to pop on another layer after you’re done.

When looking at the packaging, you’ll want to use a high factor SPF for the most protection (UVB) along with a high star rating (UVA). Having both of these will make sure you are covered from two of the three types of radiation that impact the skin.

Recommended products from the salon

Alpha Day Lotion SPF15 – This is one of the many Environ products that we love to use in the salon. It’s a moisturising lotion that will keep your face hydrated whilst protecting you from the strong summer sun rays.

2. Wear protective clothing

Sun protection products are essential for protecting yourself from harmful UV rays. These products include sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and clothing. When choosing clothes to wear while outdoors, consider the type of activity you plan to participate in. For example, if you’re going to be hiking, wearing shorts and a T-shirt is fine. However, if you’re planning on spending most of your day laying outside, wearing long sleeves and pants is recommended.

Wear shirts that are lightweight and breathable, and avoid cotton since it absorbs moisture. Also, look for shirts with UPF ratings of 30 or higher. Clothing made from natural fibres, such as linen, are also great choices for keeping you cool.

Hats are another great form of sun protection. Choose a hat that covers your ears, neck, and face. Avoid hats that cover only part of your head. We don’t often consider our heads when we think of sun burn, but we promise, it’s not a comfortable feeling so avoid it at all costs.

Sunglasses are also an excellent form of sun protection. Look for glasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB radiation and that feature lenses that filter out blue light. Sunglasses that have polarized lenses are especially helpful, since they prevent glare and reflections.

Did you know that even though your wearing protective clothing, you could still get ill from too much sun? Overexposure to the heat can cause heatstroke and heat exhaustion. It’s a good idea to be sparing with the time you are spending in the sun, even covered up. Make sure you know the signs of heat exhaustion if you’re going to be out and about all day.

3. Avoid tanning beds

It’s tempting to jump into a tanning bed to kickstart that sun tan going into the summer months. Many people still believe that they provide a safe alternative to sunbathing – however, these devices pose serious health risks, including skin cancer.

According to the NHS webpage on sunbeds, tanning bed use increases the risk of developing melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer. Tanning beds emit ultraviolet radiation, which can cause irreversible damage to your body. Many tanning beds and sun lamps emit a UV frequency that’s higher that you’d find laying out in the midday sun in the tropics.

We suggest that everyone avoids using tanning beds but especially so if you have a history of skin cancers, have sensitive skin or have sunburnt heavily in the past. 

If you want to use something to boost your glow before your holidays, why not pick up one of the many tanning products on the market!

There are plenty of things that you can do to keep yourself safe from UV rays this season. We’ve highlighted just a couple of the most important ones above – we’d also suggest staying out of the mid day sun and wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes.

Yep, the sun can do damage there as well!

If you’d like to pick up some of the sun lotion that we carry in the salon,  give us a ring on 01628 298 040 or pop into the salon on the Cookham Road in Maidenhead.