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The caressing and soothing effect of the sun at the beach is something that every beachgoer looks forward to every summer. Quite the majority of people find themselves overindulging in sunbathing at the beach without realizing the underlying dangers that come with such overindulgence. The likelihood of suffering from sunburns at the beach is usually quite high. Moreover, depending on the length of exposure to the sun, you are likely to suffer from an even grimmer risk which is skin cancer.
What you need to know?
The sun produces a significant amount of energy through a process called radiation. Although in its natural form, it appears as light energy, once it strikes a surface, it is transformed into heat energy. The rays of the sun contain what are known as Ultra Violet (UV) Rays, which exist in several types. The most harmful types of UV rays are UV A and UV B. It is worth noting that the harmful effects of both UVA and UVB have been a public health concern on a global scale. This is why you need to know more about the sun safety measures that you can put into place to protect yourself from UV rays. We have compiled 5 of the most effective tips for you to apply when at the beach to prevent the negative effects of radiation. Below are the 5 sun safety tips to protect yourself from Ultra Violet Rays (UV) at the beach.
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Use Sunscreen cream
Sunscreen is a tried and tested photo-protector that safeguards your skin from the dangers that come from direct exposure to sunlight. It contains elements that work to strengthen the skin’s protective layer. When buying sunscreen, make sure you select the one that is suitable for your skin type. This is because you will need to be using it for as long as you will be at the beach sunbathing. An appropriate sunscreen cream should offer broad-spectrum protection. This means it should have the ability to protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. In addition to this, the cream should have high values of SPF (Sun Protection Factor). It is recommended to use sunscreen creams with SPF 30 and above.
It is worth noting that sunscreen cream is a relatively expensive purchase, which is why you are urged to put it to good use. This means that you should be quite careful to use it well. It, however, does not mean that you should use the cream sparingly. If anything, you are required to apply generous amounts ensuring that you reach every part of the body that will be exposed to the sun. For an adult, an estimated 35 grams of sunscreen cream is recommended for each application. This means that the more time you spend sunbathing at the beach the higher your demand for sunscreen will be. Thankfully, you can alternate the use of sunscreen with other sun-protection techniques.
The most appropriate time to apply sunscreen is 20 to 30 minutes before you sunbathe. This will give the cream enough time to penetrate your skin in an effective way. Do not forget to follow the manufacturer-specific instructions available on the label. To ensure that you are protected the whole time you are at the beach, ensure that you reapply the cream after every two hours or after coming back from the water.
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Sunbathe at the most appropriate time of day
Taking note of the time of day when sunbathing can go a long way in saving yourself the hassle. More often than not, the afternoon period, between 12 pm and 2 pm is the hottest time of day. If you can avoid sunbathing during this period, you will save yourself a lot of trouble. Take advantage of the shade available at the beach during this period.
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Cover your body whenever possible
Clothes are obviously quite effective when it comes to barring the direct sun rays. Nevertheless, you need to choose wisely by selecting those that are equipped with photo-protection capabilities. You will find beach pants and shirts in the market with UV-protecting capabilities. However, do not overdo it to the extent that your whole body is covered because this will go against the purpose of sunbathing. When using clothes to cover your body, do it with moderation to avoid missing out on the fun of sunbathing.
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Use Sunglasses, Lip balm and a Hat
The need to protect every part of your body cannot be emphasized enough. Remember that the scalp, the eyes and your lips are particularly susceptible to the harmful radiation. For this reason, you should not miss a chance to throw in your favorite hat and sunglasses. But, remember that not all sunglasses are capable of protecting against UV rays. Therefore, select those that are explicitly indicated as anti-UV. As for your lips, use a lip balm with SPF 30 and above. In addition to a hat, sunglasses and lip balm, throw in any other facial protector you can get provided it is certified to protect against UV rays.
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Hydrate
It is important to hydrate your body by increasing water intake while sunbathing at the beach. This will help replace the water that your body loses as a result of exposure to the sun. Have other forms of fluids to supplement water. If you are at the beach with your family, pay close attention to the kids as they tend to jump around a lot hence causing a higher demand for fluids in their bodies. There is no right amount of fluids. However, you need to ensure that the intake of water is higher than normal to make up for the lost water due to increased perspiration.
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Sun Protection Gear List
If you want to be protected from the sun UV at the beach, the items you need to take with you;
Conclusion
Avoiding the negative effects of sun radiation at the beach takes a lot of personal initiative and discipline. For some beachgoers, this is achieved quite effortlessly. Providing information on what to do is the furthest extent that experts can go as far as helping you is concerned. If you follow these tips, you have the best shot at surviving a sunburn and skin cancer.
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