Free Tips to Protect Skin in summer 2013.
Why Sun protection is important?
Sun protection is essential to skin cancer prevention – about 90 percent of non-melanoma skin cancers and 65 percent of melanomas are associated with exposure to UV radiation from the sun
Part 1-Tips to protect your skin in summer of 2013
When to put on sunscreen
When you head to the beach, spread out your towel, and then slather on some sunscreen, thinking that it will start to protect you right away. But sunscreen takes time to start working because it needs to be absorbed into the skin. Apply your sunscreen 20 to 30 minutes before going outside.
Avoiding sunscreen on cloudy day
This is not good idea, as 80% of the sun's rays still get through the clouds. So make it a habit to apply sunscreen whenever you'll be exposing your skin to the sun, regardless of the weather.
- Wrong times to go outside
The sun's rays are most intense between 10 am and 4 pm. While it's not realistic to always stay indoors during these times, try to schedule your day so that you spend more of your “outdoor” time outside of this window. For example, take your daily walk or run before 10 am – or after 4 pm.
How to apply sunscreen properly
Our ears, our lips, the backs of our hands and the tops of your feet can get sunburned too, but many people neglect these areas when they apply sunscreen. For our lips, choose a lip balm with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 that protects against UVA and UVB rays.
How much is enough sunscreen
We should use more sunscreen. Survey shows that most people don't use nearly enough sunscreen – the average person uses only one-quarter to one-half as much as they need. Use at least one palm-full of sunscreen to cover your face, neck, arms and legs.
Reapplying sunscreen
Reapply your sunscreen every 2 hours throughout the day and also after swimming, sweating, or toweling dry (which can rub off sunscreen). And remember that water-resistant sunscreens may offer only 40 minutes of protection in the water.
Physical protection is a good idea
To protect the delicate skin of your scalp (especially where your hair is parted), it's best to sport a wide-brimmed hat. Sun-protective clothing, which is specially treated to provide better sun protection, is another great way to protect your skin. You can find it at your local sports or outdoors store. Also think about wearing a long-sleeved shirt, pants, and sunglasses, whenever possible.
How good is white shirt in summer
White cotton T-shirt provides only SPF of just 4, which is minimal – you need at least SPF 30. You'll get the best sun protection from clothing with a tighter weave and darker colors. Or you can opt for sun-protective clothing as described in mistake 9, above.
Part 2- ABC about Sunburn
Sunburn — the skin reddening caused by overexposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation — may seem like just a temporary irritation, but sunburns can cause long-lasting damage to the skin.
Children are especially at risk:
One blistering sun-burn in childhood or adolescence can doubles a person's chances of developing melanoma later in life. Don’t get burned: Read the articles below to learn all about The Skin Cancer Foundation’s expert advice on sunburn prevention, treatment, and relief!
How to treat sunburn
Getting sunburn is a very bad idea. It looks bad, hurts, peels and inflicts long-lasting, wrinkle-inducing damage. It's especially bad for children: Even one blistering burn may double their lifetime risk of melanoma, a serious skin cancer. And it's totally preventable (with sunscreen, shade and clothing). But mistakes happen. So here are five ways to ease the pain and maybe, just maybe, limit the damage...
1. Act Fast
If you feel the tale-tell tingling of a burn or see any sign of skin reddening on yourself or your child, get out of the sun and start treatment. "Sunburn tends to sneak up on us. It can take four to six hours for the symptoms to develop," says Barton Schmitt, a pediatrician at Children's Hospital Colorado and author of a new book, My Child Is Sick! Expert Advice for Managing Common Illnesses and Injuries, published by the American Academy of Pediatrics. So a touch of pink at the beach could turn into a big problem later.
2. Moisturize your skin
After a cool shower or bath, slather on a moisturizing cream or lotion to soothe the skin. Repeat frequently to make peeling and flaking less noticeable. And consider a product containing vitamin C and vitamin E: It might help limit skin damage (though studies have not proved that), says Shawn Allen, a dermatologist in Boulder, Colo., and spokesman for The Skin Cancer Foundation. It's also OK to use a hydrocortisone cream for a day or two to relieve discomfort, Allen says. Not OK: scrubbing, picking or peeling your skin or breaking blisters.
3. Hydrate
Any burn draws fluid to the skin surface and away from the rest of the body. So drink extra water, juice and sports drinks for a couple of days and watch for signs of dehydration: Dry mouth, thirst, reduced urination, headache, dizziness and sleepiness. Children are especially vulnerable, so check with a doctor if they appear ill.
4. Don't Wait to Medicate
Take (or give your child) a dose of ibuprofen (for example, Advil) as soon as you see signs of sunburn and keep it up for the next 48 hours, Schmitt advises. "It cuts back on the swelling and redness that is going to occur" and might prevent some long-term skin damage. "It's not just treating the symptoms; it's treating the severity of the symptoms." Acetaminophen (for example, Tylenol) will treat the pain, but does not have the same anti-inflammatory effect.
5. Assess the Damage
Most sunburn, even those that cause a few blisters, can be treated at home. But if a blistering burn covers 20% or more of the body (a child's whole back), seek medical attention, Allen says. Anyone with a sunburn who is suffering fevers and chills should also seek medical help, he says. Finally: Consider the burn a warning that your sun-safety net has failed and vow to do better. That means using sunscreen, covering up with clothing and hats and avoiding the sun as much as possible between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
(Source-skincancer.org)
