Summer, Sun and Top SPF Protection
As the days grow longer and the temperatures rise, we eagerly embrace the warmth and joy that summer brings. From beach trips to backyard barbecues, summer is synonymous with outdoor fun. However, basking in the sun’s golden rays also means we must be vigilant about protecting our skin from harmful UV radiation. As more controversial and often worrisome stories come out about sunscreen creams and lotions, what should we do to protect ourselves, what is the alternative to sun screen lotions, creams and oils?
The Importance of SPF Protection
The sun emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which includes UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays can prematurely age your skin, causing wrinkles and age spots, while UVB rays are responsible for sunburn. Both types of UV radiation increase the risk of skin cancer if we don’t pay attention to timing and bare skin exposure to sun rays. Sun is nothing we ned to be afraid of, in contrary, Sun is our life giver, without Sun, there is no life on Earth, Sun rays are not something we need to hide from, we simply need to be aware of overexposure to it. Sunscreen with SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is good way to reduce Sun ray exposure or in shielding your skin from these harmful effects.
SPF measures how well a sunscreen protects your skin from UVB rays. For instance, SPF 30 means it would take 30 times longer for your skin to burn compared to unprotected skin. Dermatologists recommend using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, even on cloudy days, as UV rays can penetrate through clouds and windows. Having said that, those sunscreens would be ideal if they don’t contain sometimes hazardous chemicals that are probably more harmful to our skin than UV rays. Some sunscreens contain cancerous substances as benzene and should be avoided by everyone especially by young children due tu sensitive skin. Another aspect of why we should avoid regular sunscreens is the recall aspect. In recent years many popular sunscreens were removed from the market due to forbidden substances or even mold and mildew.
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Alternatives to common sunscreens
Sunscreens are not bad in general either, what we need to do is, learn about damaging substances that you should avoid and check recall list before purchasing. Also a healthier choice when choosing sunscreens is the mineral sunscreen.
Chemical sunscreens were well-known when they were introduced to the market because of their lightness, absorbency, and absence of chalky residue on the skin. Contrary to their mineral counterparts, chemical sunscreens absorb UV radiation instead of reflecting it. Conversely, mineral sunscreens block damaging rays from your skin by acting as a kind of barrier made of aluminium foil. If you were to choose between the two, applying mineral sunscreens has greater advantages. For everyday use, they are now considerably lighter and less chalky. Because chemical sunscreen absorbs into your pores, it is more likely to result in blemishes and clogged pores. If a mineral sunscreen doesn’t clog your pores, look for one that states non-comedogenic. There is evidence that chemical sunscreens are detrimental to marine life in the water. Because mineral sunscreens are so safe, you can prevent this.
Lastly, if you’ve been wondering why mineral sunscreen is superior, you should know that one of its more subtle advantages is how incredibly simple it is to apply. Chemical sunscreen is extremely sensitive, and getting the perfect application practically requires jumping through hoops.
An example of that? Chemical sunscreen must be applied at least fifteen minutes before venturing outside into the sun. Additionally, it begins to deteriorate as soon as it comes into contact with sunlight, so you’ll need to start applying it again every one to two hours—or even sooner if you perspire or splash around in the water.
Alternative to all sunscreens
Using no sunscreen at al? What? Yes, you can live without using sunscreen, and you can avoid the UV rays overexposure by following few simple but important steps. How about hiding in the basement? No, this is not recommended not healthy at all. Sun is actually our friend and it is very healthy for us. How does our body produce vitamin D? Yes, by absorbing UV rays. So, should we avoid UV rays? NO, not at all! We need UV rays to survive and to live a healthy life. The key is in moderate sun exposure.
We can limit sun exposure by choosing more shade or by wearing hats and clothes designed to block UV rays. One of those clothing items are so called rash guard shirts.
Having the greatest rash guard for the job is crucial if you’re taking your kids swimming or snorkelling in Cancun, Mexico. Rash guards are a must if you want to shield your skin from the sun and scratches from your board or other equipment. A rash guard is a kind of shirt that fits close to the skin to shield it from the sun. In addition to being used often in water activities like swimming and surfing, these shirts are also growing in popularity among beachgoers who wish to shield their skin from the sun.
Rash guard comes in different sizes, colours and shapes, with long, short sleeves or as a vest. For swimming, surfing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and all other water sports, Rash guards are fantastic. Rash vests and shirts offer additional defence against damaging UV radiation and skin abrasions from sand, hard surfaces and even Jellyfish stings.
The primary advantage of wearing a rashguard is UV protection. Ultraviolet Protection Factor, or UPF, is used to grade garments such as rash vests, while SPF is used to rate UV protection for sunscreen lotion. If a rash vest has a UPF of 50, then only 1/50th of the UV radiation from the sun will get to the skin. Wearing a rash vest will protect you from the sun all day long since you won’t need to reapply sunscreen in areas that are covered.
Apart from providing sun protection, sun shirts, swim shirts, and rash guards also have the added advantage of being made with textiles using cutting-edge technology. The looser weaves of regular materials, such as cotton, let UV light through. This implies that your skin will be less protected, particularly when the fabric is stretched or damp.
Here’s where materials with a high UPF benefit. A fabric’s effectiveness in shielding you from ultraviolet radiation is indicated by its Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF), which is a numerical value. For instance, a cotton shirt has a UPF of about 5. UPF 50+ is great, whereas UPF 30 is regarded as good. These textiles have mineral components and tighter weaves to assist provide a shield against the sun’s rays.
You need to choose the colour of rash guard that best suits your needs because they come in a range of hues. Selecting a colour that goes well with your other swimwear is recommended if you want it to match the rest of your outfit. A rash guard in a vivid or striking hue is a great option if you want something that will stick out and create a statement.
Summer, Sun and top SPF protection, go out there and have fun. Enjoy your summer months with these simple UV ray protection tips. Remember, sun is our friend and avoiding it is not a benefit to our health, just be informed how to enjoy it to the full extend.
