Summer is a season filled with outdoor activities and fun under the sun. While it’s important to enjoy the warm weather, it’s equally crucial to protect your skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Prolonged exposure to these rays can lead to skin damage, sunburns, premature aging, and even skin cancer. To safeguard yourself, follow these eight essential steps to shield your skin and have a safe and enjoyable time in the sun.

1. Apply Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen

Before stepping outdoors, always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 30. Broad-spectrum sunscreens protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays.

Apply generously and remember to reapply every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating. Don’t forget to cover often overlooked areas such as your ears, back of the neck, and tops of your feet.

2. Seek Shade

Avoid direct sunlight during peak hours, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If possible, seek shade under umbrellas, trees, or awnings. This reduces your overall sun exposure and allows your skin to take a break from the harmful rays.

Remember, shade alone is not enough to protect you fully, so combining it with other sun safety measures is essential.

3. Wear Protective Clothing

When spending time outdoors, wear lightweight and breathable clothing that covers your skin as much as possible. Opt for long-sleeved shirts, long pants or skirts, and wide-brimmed hats that shade your face, neck, and ears.

Darker colors and tightly woven fabrics provide better protection against UV rays. You can also consider wearing UV-protective clothing, widely available in the market, for added defense.

4. Put on Sunglasses

Protecting your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays is equally important. When choosing sunglasses, ensure they block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Look for the label or check for an ANSI (American National Standards Institute) UV 400 rating.

Wearing sunglasses not only protects your eyes from potential damage but also helps prevent wrinkles and other visible signs of aging around the eyes.

5. Use Lip Balm with SPF

Often, we underestimate the need to protect our lips from the sun. Lips have thinner skin, making them more susceptible to sunburn and damage. Always apply a lip balm with a minimum SPF of 30, preferably one that provides broad-spectrum protection.

Reapply throughout the day, especially after eating or drinking, to maintain constant sun protection for your lips.

6. Be Mindful of Reflection

Water, sand, snow, and concrete can reflect and intensify the sun’s rays, increasing your exposure. Even if you’re in the shade, reflections from these surfaces can still reach your skin.

Take extra precautions in such environments and apply sunscreen more frequently. Consider wearing sun-protective clothing that specifically blocks out these reflected rays.

7. Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated is crucial for overall health, but it also plays a role in sun safety. Heat and sun exposure can lead to dehydration, which affects your skin’s resilience and ability to heal.

Drink plenty of fluids, primarily water, before, during, and after sun exposure. Avoid excessive alcohol and caffeinated beverages as they can dehydrate you further.

8. Check the UV Index

Before planning your outdoor activities, check the UV Index for your location. The UV Index is a scale that reflects the intensity of UV rays in a specific area.

It ranges from 1 to 11+, with higher numbers indicating higher UV levels and increased risk of harm. Adjust your sun safety measures accordingly; the higher the UV Index, the more cautiously you should protect your skin.

By following these eight steps, you can shield your skin from harmful UV rays and reduce the risk of sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. Make sun safety a priority, and remember that protecting your skin goes beyond just the summer months.

Take care of your skin year-round to maintain its health and well-being.