Summertime brings warmth, sunshine, and endless opportunities to go outside and enjoy outdoor activities. However, what comes with sunshine is the risk of sun damage and sunburn.

Therefore, it’s crucial for you to take precautionary measures to protect yourself from becoming sunburned while enjoying the sun.

Wear Protective Clothing

The best way to protect yourself from sunburn is to wear protective clothing that covers your skin as much as possible when outside in the sun.

Long-sleeved shirts, pants, and hats with a wide brim can help keep you covered and minimize the amount of sun exposure on your skin. Loose-fitting clothing in light colors can also help you keep cooler.

Use Sunscreen

Another effective way to protect yourself from sunburn is to apply sunscreen before going outside. Sunscreen helps you avoid being sunburned and minimizes your risk of developing skin cancer.

It’s best to choose sunscreens that provide broad-spectrum protection, with an SPF 30 or higher, and be sure to reapply every two hours, or after any heavy sweating or swimming.

Avoid Tanning Beds

Exposure to UV radiation in tanning beds is known to cause skin damage and increases your risk of skin cancer. Therefore, it’s best to avoid tanning beds altogether and choose alternatives to get a nice summer glow.

Sunless tanning products, such as lotions, sprays, and mousses, offer an excellent way to get the tan you desire without exposing your skin to harmful UV rays.

Stay Indoors or Seek Shade During Peak Sun Hours

Sunburns most often happen during peak hours when the sun’s rays are the strongest. It’s best if you stay indoors or seek shade between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during summertime when the sun is at its strongest.

It’s essential to take breaks from the sun during outdoor activities to help prevent sunburn and stay healthy.

Stay Hydrated

During hot weather, staying hydrated is essential to staying healthy. Drink plenty of water or other fluids to avoid dehydration. Keeping yourself hydrated helps your skin maintain proper moisture levels and avoid becoming dry and flaky, causing sunburn.

Dehydration can also reduce your body’s ability to cool off, causing heat exhaustion and other health issues related to sunburn.

Avoid Certain Medications that Make Skin More Sensitive

Some medications can make your skin more sensitive to the sun and increase your risk of sunburn.

Antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), some antidepressants, and chemotherapy drugs can cause photosensitivity and other skin issues with sun exposure. If you’re taking medication, make sure to read the label and speak to your doctor about any precautions that you should take when being outdoors in the sun.

Apply Natural Sunburn Remedies

If you forgot to apply sunscreen or find yourself exposed to the sun’s rays for longer than expected, you may end up with sunburn.

Applying natural sunburn remedies like aloe vera gel, cold compresses or cool baths, witch hazel, and chamomile tea can help soothe your skin and promote healing. Essential oils made from tea tree oil, lavender, and peppermint may also help reduce inflammation, redness, and pain associated with sunburn.

Wear Sunglasses

It’s not only your skin that needs protection from the sun’s rays. Your eyes are also at risk of harmful UV radiation that can cause issues such as cataracts, eye damage, and macular degeneration.

Wearing sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection can help protect your eyes and the skin around them. Choose sunglasses with polarized lenses in wraparound styles to ensure the best protection.

Know Your Skin Type and Be Prepared

Everyone has a unique skin type. Each skin type reacts differently to the sun’s rays. Some skin types are more prone to sunburn than others, and some may have a higher risk of skin cancer.

It’s essential to know your skin type and take the necessary precautions to protect yourself when outside. If you’re working or playing outside, be prepared to take protective measures ahead of time by bringing sunscreen, a hat, protective clothing, and other items that will help keep you safe while outside.

Conclusion

Protecting yourself from sunburn is essential to staying healthy and reducing your risk of skin damage, skin cancer, and other health problems.

By taking proactive steps to protect yourself, such as wearing protective clothing, using sunscreen, staying hydrated, avoiding tanning beds, and seeking shade during peak sun hours, you can help keep your skin healthy and maintain your overall well-being during the sunny season.