Are you thinking of visiting the beach? Have you thought about measures to help you deal with sunburn?
According to the National Cancer Institute, over 33,000 sunburns are reported annually. The data is proof that sunburn isn’t a joke. Small children, tanning booth visitors, and fair-skinned individuals are more at risk.
So, how can you avoid sunburns?
Ways to Protect Yourself From Sunburns at the Beach
Walking or sitting around the beach exposes you to Ultraviolet Radiations from the sun, which may have repercussions on your skin. Besides the visible damage, UV rays may also affect the DNA in the skin cells. With time, this may lead to skin cancer.
Here are some hacks you can use to protect yourself from sunburns.
Use Water-Resistant Sunblock
Putting on a water-resistant sunblock is a sure way to protect yourself from sunburn at the beach.
The sunblock works by forming a physical shield that blocks UV rays from the sun from getting to your skin. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are the most active ingredients in sunblocks.
Ensure you apply the sunblock evenly, since the UV light can attack any exposed area of your skin. Since sunblock isn’t rubbed on the skin like sunscreen, it leaves a white cast.
Sunblocks are recommended over sunscreens since they don’t contain chemicals that may irritate your skin. They’re ideal for use even for people with the most sensitive skin types.
Apply Sunblock Every Two Hours
Does the sunblock last the whole day after you apply it? No, it doesn’t.
The more you’re exposed to sunlight, the faster the sunblock is used up. Additionally, UV lights are more intense at particular times of the day. As such, you’re most likely to burn more in the afternoon than in the morning hours.
That’s why you need to reapply the sunblock on your skin to continue enjoying the protection. Additionally, participating in a beach volleyball game or swimming may also get a big chunk of the sunblock from the skin. As such, you’ll need to reapply the sunblock after the activity.
Wait 15 Minutes Before Entering Water
After you apply the sunblock, it’s prudent to wait for 15 minutes before you can enter the water. The duration will give the sunblock enough time to dry up and protect you. Otherwise, the water may wash it off, leaving your skin exposed to UV light.
Wear Zinc-based Sunblock on Your Face
You can use zinc-based sunblocks to protect your skin from damage.
When you apply it to the skin, it forms a protective layer. UV light hits the protective seal on your skin; it reflects away instead of penetrating. This protects your skin cells from damage.
Why use a zinc-based sunblock on your face? Your face skin enables you to look your best and youthful. Therefore, you should look for a sunblock that’ll not have negative effects on your skin and still leave you glowing.
Zinc-based sunblock is ideal as it’s not absorbed into the skin. As such, it’s less irritating, especially for people with sensitive skin types and those with eczema, acne, and rosacea.
If You’re Fair-skinned, Consider a Long-sleeve Beach Shirt
Clothes remain the most efficient way to protect your skin against UV rays that cause skin damage. As mentioned earlier, fair-skinned people are more likely to get skin damage than dark-skinned individuals.
As such, fair-skinned individuals should consider wearing long-sleeved beach shirts in addition to applying sunblock. This would ensure optimal skin protection.
Final Thoughts
Visiting the beach is an ideal way to unwind and relieve stress. However, it also exposes you to UV rays from the sun that may cause damage to your skin. Therefore, it’s vital to take the necessary measures to avoid sunburn. Use the different hacks we’ve discussed for skin care protection.
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