2024-07-22 09:56:11
The sun is the perfect excuse to get out of the house and get some fresh air, but did you know you can get sunburned even under an umbrella? Here are some tips for enjoying the heat without getting red.
What is sunburn?
Sunburn is a burn on the skin caused by overexposure to ultraviolet light.
Although in most cases symptoms are temporary and disappear within the next few days, damage to the skin can have serious long-term effects, particularly leading to skin cancer or premature aging.
Symptoms associated with sunburn include redness, blistering, or peeling of the skin for several days after the sunburn.
If your sunburn causes skin infection or causes swelling of the face, nausea, fever, dizziness or even headaches, it is recommended to consult a doctor.
Six tips to prevent sunburn
To make the most of the nice weather without getting sunburned, the Quebec government website recommends taking some precautions:
1-Apply sunscreen
In general, to protect yourself from the sun, you should apply sunscreen every two hours and after every swimming or sweaty physical activity.
Photo agency QMI, JOËL LEMAY
2- Hats and long clothes
Despite the hot weather, it is recommended that you cover your skin with long, loose-fitting, breathable clothing and wear a hat to avoid direct sunlight on your face, ears, or head.
3- Wear sunglasses
Likewise, it is recommended to wear sunglasses that protect against UVA and UVB rays to protect your eyes from damage caused by the sun.
4-Limit the time spent in the sun
It is recommended to limit time spent in the sun, especially during the hours when UV rays are strongest, between 11am and 3pm. If you must go out, stay in the shade or use an umbrella if possible.
5-“Tanning”: a bad idea
According to the CIUSSS de la Mauricie-et-du-Centre-du-Québec website, the idea of a “healthy” tan does not exist. In fact, according to the Uniprix Pharmacy website, tanning itself is a sign of damaged skin. This also applies to all artificial tanning equipment.
6-Children first
The skin of children, especially babies, is particularly fragile, so it is important to take these precautions more strictly. For babies under 6 months of age, it is recommended to avoid sunlight altogether, as the use of certain sunscreen lotions may cause allergic reactions.
AFP
How to choose the sunscreen that suits you?
When it comes time to choose a sunscreen, it’s easy to get lost when looking at the range of products on display. According to CIUSSS and Uniprix, here’s what to look for:
– Sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB rays, which cause premature skin aging and sunburn respectively. These can also lead to skin cancer;
– Has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30, which means it protects 96% of people from these rays. The higher the FPS, the greater the protection, but be careful, this does not increase its duration;
– For athletes practicing in the sun, be sure to bring waterproof sunscreen, the expiration date of the sunscreen will be stated on the bottle. But remember, Uniprix says sunscreen shouldn’t be wiped off with a towel if you wipe your skin frequently.
-Texture that suits your needs and preferences: cream, lotion, spray or stick.
Five Myths About Sunburn
1. Can I use sunscreen to tan?
We can. No matter which sunscreen you choose, a small amount of UV rays will inevitably reach the skin, activating melanin, which is responsible for skin tone, according to Météomédia. Therefore, even with sun protection, it is still possible to get a tan.
Photos Fotoria
2. On cloudy days, no need for sun protection
this is not right. While some clouds do go a long way in blocking the UVB rays that cause sunburn, they do little to block the UVA rays that cause premature skin aging. Sunburn is also possible on cloudy days, depending on cloud conditions, Uniprix said.
3- No need to apply sunscreen under umbrella
this is not right. While umbrellas protect you from direct sunlight, indirect light reflected from water, sand, and smooth, pale surfaces can cause sunburn.
4. Sunscreen is only suitable for summer
wrong again. Likewise, sunlight reflects particularly strongly on snow, which means that even if it’s cold outside, sunburn is not uncommon, especially when skiing.
5. People with dark skin don’t need sunscreen
Forged. Although dark skin contains more melanin, which allows it to block more light than lighter skin, it does not block all light. Therefore, according to Uniprix, people with darker skin tones may suffer harmful effects from repeated or prolonged exposure to the sun.
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