BE SUN READY
LEARNING HOW TO PROTECT
YOURSELF FROM THE SUN
We all enjoy a sunny day and need some sun to help us make Vitamin D, but itâs important to enjoy the sun safely and know how to protect your skin. Follow our sun safety tips to ensure your skin is protected, whilst also ensuring you create enough vitamin D.
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. It is the measure of the sunscreenâs ability to filter UVB rays. You should consider your skin type, hair colour and location when choosing an SPF product. If youâre not sure what SPF to choose, consult the Climate Destinations Chart:
You should always apply sunscreen to clean, dry skin at least 20-30 minutes before sun exposure. Remember to stay out of direct sunlight between 11am to 3pm when the sunâs UV rays are strongest. Make sure you particularly apply sunscreen on the easily forgotten areas such as the back of your neck, your ears and the top of your feet.
Sunscreen is very important but sometimes we require additional protection from the sunâs powerful rays. You should always wear a pair of high-quality sunglasses that block 100 per cent of UV rays. It is also important to wear loose clothing and a wide brimmed hat.
Protect your shoulders, chest and back by wearing loose clothing while out in the sun; these areas are often prone to sun overexposure so try to limit the amount of sun they receive.
UV rays can damage your skin but they can also damage your eyes and affect your vision if you donât take the proper precautions to stay safe in the sun. Itâs important to wear sunglasses that absorb UVA and UVB rays.
Wear a wide-brimmed hat such as a bucket hat to protect your face, neck, and ears. These areas of the body are exposed to the sun more than any other part so itâs important to protect them whenever possible.
Seek shade whenever possible - this will help to cool you down and also protect your skin on a hot day. This can also help to prevent other symptoms of overexposure to the sun such as nausea, lightheadedness and dehydration. When your body is hot you begin to sweat, which evaporates allowing your body to cool off efficiently so that you donât overheat. Thatâs why it is vital to drink lots of water to prevent dehydration or heat stroke.