Spending time in the sun is a great way to soak up vitamin D. It is good to be physically active and reduce the day’s stress. But research proves that the sun’s heat takes only 15-20 minutes to damage your skin cells.
Sunlight can improve your health in many ways. Whether you are a beachgoer, a sunlight monger, or a sports player who loves to be out in the sun, sunscreen is always your friend. However, there are other methods you can do to protect yourself against sun exposure and extreme heat. You can learn more about skin-protective clothing, a new technology that protects you from the harmful effects of the sun.
Ultraviolet rays radiated can become a significant cancer cause. Heat rays can cause skin burns and other problems on the upper layer of the skin, which further irritate you. While protection from the sun is most important in summer, you can adopt various methods all year round. Before you step out to enjoy the delicious ice cream on a beach or play golf at your local club, do not forget to follow specific steps to help your skin.
Table of Contents
Various Ways To Protect Your Skin
Protective Clothing
While sunscreen is your regular shield, allow yourself to learn more about a newly developed textile technology called sun protective clothing, which helps against UVA and UVB sun rays. This is usually called UPF clothing. Various pieces, like sun arms, legs, etc., are available for people, especially those on the field, for long hours of the day.
UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor. It is similar to SPF in sunscreens which protects your skin from suburbs and other allergies caused by the sun’s heat. It refers to the specifics of the fabric and its ability to keep you safe during heavy daylight hours. While UPF starts from 30, 50 and 50+ is considered the best.
Several factors are considered to label the cloth as UPF or “Sun-proof”. They are:
- Dyes
- Fabric
- Stretch
- Weave
- Density
Instead of wearing standard sports gear, people in the field can opt for it while they plan to go for a day of playing their favourite sport out in the extreme heat. These clothes are often made of dense fibres and are dark-coloured, offering high protection from direct and indirect sunlight. Using such clothing will ensure that you face no harmful effects of the rays.
Sunscreen
Sunscreens are age-old formulas for skin protection. They are infused with SPF or Sun Protection Formulas ranging from fifteen to sixty for various levels of exposure.
A typical range of SPF of twenty to thirty is acceptable for people who generally go out in the sun. At the same time, higher SPF products are suitable for sports players such as footballers, golfers, or swimmers who have to be out for more extended periods in direct sunlight.
Remember that sunscreen wears off after a few hours of application, just like everyday creams. Make a routine of reapplying your sunscreen at least thrice a day for better protection.
Food
Before you plan a long summer day, make it a routine to add sun-protective foods to your diet. Some fruits and vegetables that, when consumed regularly, can help your skin against sun protection. Some foods like vitamin C are a good source, which prevents the skin from wrinkling due to sun exposure, while others have lycopene and omega-3, which helps against UV radiation.
Foods that you can include in your diet for healthy sun-friendly skin are:
- Blueberries
- Watermelon
- Nuts like almonds, cashews, walnuts, fox nuts, etc.
- Seeds like sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, etc.
- Leafy greens like spinach, fenugreek, kale, etc.
- Carrots
Conclusion
Sunglasses, umbrellas, hats, etc., can help you chill out in the daytime. Increasing your Vitamin C intake can help against the sun as well. You can mix your sunscreen with vitamin C serums for better results. These steps can act well against the sun’s harmful radiation and give you clear, pigmentation-free skin.
