The best way to prevent sunburn is covering yourself with appropriate clothing
Asian Age Online
Spending time outdoors in the sun can be fun, but getting a sunburn definitely isn’t. It doesn’t just mean temporary pain either—a burn puts you an increased risk for skin cancer and signs of premature aging. If you want to keep your skin burn-free, it all starts with proper sunscreen application and limited sun exposure.
Furthermore, stock up coconut oil, jojoba oil and drink a lot of water tokeep sunburn at bay, say experts.
Stay out of the sun during peak hours
The sun’s UV rays are strongest between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so that’s when you’re at the greatest risk of getting a sunburn. If you stay inside during midday, you can avoid these dangerous rays and protect your skin. Schedule your outdoor activities, such as walking the dog or mowing the lawn, before 10 or after 4 whenever possible.
If you aren’t sure how strong the sun’s UV rays are, pay attention to your shadow. When it’s longer than you are, UV exposure is low. However, when your shadow is shorter than you are, UV exposure is high, so you should try to stay indoors.
If you have to go outside when the sun is at its strongest, try to limit the time you spend outdoors. The less exposure you have to the sun, the less chance you’ll have of getting a sunburn.
Choose a broad spectrum sunscreen
The sun produces two types of ultraviolet (UV) rays—UVA and UVB rays. UVB rays can burn your skin, while UVA rays cause premature aging, such as wrinkles and dark spots. For the best protection, you should use a sunscreen that protects against both types of rays, so check the label to ensure that it provides full- or broad-spectrum protection.
Wear the right clothes
Sometimes, you have to go outside even during the sun’s peak hours, so the key to preventing sunburn is covering yourself with appropriate clothing. Long-sleeve shirts and pants cover more of your skin than tank tops and shorts, so they can help block the sun. The more skin that your clothing covers, the more protected you’ll be.
Loose-fitting clothing made of tightly woven, synthetic fabric, such as lycra, nylon, and acrylic, offers the best protection from the sun.
Dark clothing can block more sunlight than lighter colored items.
Some clothing is made of fabric that has built-in sun protection. The label will indicate the item’s UV protection factor (UPF), so you know how effective it is at blocking the sun’s rays. Choose clothing with a UPF rating of at least 30 for the most effective protection.
Use accessories to protect your head and eyes
The right hat is not only stylish, but can protect your scalp from a possible sunburn. Make sure to throw on a pair of sunglasses before you head out the door as well because it can be difficult to apply sunscreen around the eye area.
While a baseball cap or visor offers some sun protection, a wide-brimmed hat with at least a 4-inch brim is the best choice because it will shield your scalp, eyes, ears, and neck.
Choose sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection, so your eyes are protected from both UVA and UVB rays.
Make sure your sunglasses fit well and don’t slip down your nose, exposing the eye area to the sun.
Stay in the shade
When you have to go outdoors, choose areas where the sun doesn’t reach, such as beneath a large, leafy tree. If you go to a spot where there isn’t much natural shade, such as the beach, bring an umbrella, portable canopy, or tent that can shield you from the sun.
Being in the shade doesn’t provide complete protection from the sun because you can still receive indirect sunlight that reflects off nearby surfaces, so you should still wear protective clothing and sunscreen to prevent sunburn.
More Tips:
Drink Adequate Water
Keep your skin hydrated not only externally but also internally by drinking a lot of water. Make sure you have at least seven to eight litres of water in summer. Hydrated skin is less prone to sun damage than dry skin.
Coconut Oil
You can use coconut oil on exposed skin after staying in the sun to soothe affected skin and avoid sunburns.
Consume Vitamin D
Consuming Vitamin D rich foods like fermented cod liver oil help supplement Vitamin D balance in your body and build a stronger immune system against sunburns.
Jojoba Oil
Use jojoba oil as it acts like a shield and helps incuring sunburnt skin. The fastest and safest cure for tanned skin is to applyjojoba oil. It is also rich in Vitamins E and B complex, and helps in repairingdry and damaged skin while soothing the burning sensation, reports internet.
