Staying Safe From the Sun All Year Long
By Brandi Goodman
With UV Protection Month in July and Summer Sun Safety Month in August, you'd think summertime was the only season when the sun affects you. The truth is, the sun can be detrimental to your skin all year long, no matter if it's hot or cold outside. You need to learn how to stay safe from the sun all year long, no matter where you're at and how the weather is currently behaving.
Wear Sunscreen When Outdoors
Any time you plan on going outside, you need to be applying sunscreen. Whether the sun is shining brightly or not, it's still in the sky and able to emit harmful UV rays that can hurt your skin. Water and even snow can reflect the rays of the sun. Stay protected by reapplying every two hours that you're outdoors. Also, you may want to choose a moisturizing sunscreen during the colder months so your skin does not get dried out easily.
Wear Sunglasses
Your skin is not the only thing affected by the sun. Your eye health can be called into question when exposed to the sun as well. You should always wear sunglasses outdoors -- especially when the sun is visible -- to help keep your eyes protected. Be sure you're choosing a UV-protection pair and not just something cheap that still allows those harmful rays through.
Cover Up
It's so much easier to cover up in winter or when it's chilly or raining outside. Even on a hot day, though, you need to do your best to cover up. It's particularly important to block the sun's rays from your head and face. Wearing a hat can be a big help when you're trying to cover the exposed part on your scalp, the top of your ears, and your face.
Choose Dark or Bright Colors
Wearing white isn't recommended when you're trying to avoid skin damage. The color actually allows lots of light through, which then gets to your skin. You need to choose dark or bright colors more often. These colors absorb the light and do not allow much of it to penetrate through to your skin.
Whether it's the summer, winter, or the seasons between, you need to take sun safety into consideration. The sun's harmful rays can always have an impact, no matter the type of weather that day. Do what you can to keep yourself protected and avoid the cancer-causing problems that come from UV rays.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Riverside, Calif.