Yes, there can be too much of a good thing! The same sun rays that make us feel energized and cheerful, and help us make Vitamin D by simply walking around in its glow, can become a problem - not only in the short term, as in a sun burn or sun stroke, but also in the long term, in terms of the health and appearance of our skin and eyes.

Fortunately, it is fairly easy to protect ourselves from the sun - the main challenge is getting our own inner child - uhh.. brain - to accept the reality of the problem (!) and remembering to take these easy steps at the right time.

Shady is good
Thanks to advertising and the media, we are well aware of sun block/ sunscreen products to apply on our skin. But how about preventing the sun's rays from even reaching your skin directly (at least a major part of it.)

Yes, we're talking about creating your own portable shade by always wearing a wide brimmed hat for your face/head with a flap to cover your neck; and tightly woven, loose fitting UV blocking apparel for the rest of your body. In many parts of the world, carrying an umbrella to get some relief from the sun is a common & sensible practice. (Perhaps it will catch on here once a sporting goods company runs a hot ad campaign about it!)

A good thing to remember is that skin damage is caused by the UV rays in the sunlight, not the temperature/perceived warmth (which comes from the infra-red waves). Clouds do not block UV radiation, they filter them — and sometimes only slightly. Thus, the smart thing to do is use sun protection even on cool and cloudy days.

Here are a couple of products that fit the requirements very well in terms of their UV blocking ability as well as comfort/looks -

UV Block SPF 50 Hat

     
Womens              Mens
UV Block SPF 30 Shirt

Looking good and looking better!
Protecting our eyes from the glare of the mid-day sun (or the reflected glare from cloudy skies or snow cover) not only benefits your eyes but also in the long run prevents crows feet around your eyes that is aggravated by squinting - which happens automatically.

A good pair of sun glasses that block 100% of UV A and UV B is not hard to find and not expensive either. So get one and wear it whenever you're outside!  Here's an additional tip - get one with polarized lenses - they eliminate glare and shiny reflections from vegetation and water surfaces - bringing out the colors for you to enjoy - try it!

Filling in for Melanin
Regardless of the color of your skin, it is a good idea to apply a broad spectrum sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) between 15 and 30. (Recent studies indicate that higher levels may not lead to greater benefits but a false sense of being protected which leads to increased risk.)

Apply the cream liberally on exposed skin about 20 to 30 minutes before you will be in the sun - to give it time to become effective. Reapply periodically based on how fortunate (or unfortunate) you are in the melanin department (!) and remember, even waterproof sunscreen can come off when you towel off, sweat, or spend extended periods of time in the water. And do not forget your lips which are quite vulnerable as well.
  

Finally, for some, keeping an eye on the UV Index may be a smart idea - so you can plan your outdoor activities (and the appropriate level of sun protection) to prevent overexposure to the sun.
  

So get out there and tone up your body, mind & spirit - without adversely affecting your skin / health. And when you get a chance, do spread the word on these sensible practices that will keep you healthy and looking better for a long time!

Enjoy the site with
the best browser
in the market today:

  Shop, Save & Support!