Lying in the sun all day might be very relaxing, and tanned skin may be enticing, but apparently sun can do more harm to your skin than it can help you. Fortunately, there are ways to protect your skin from sun damage, so keep reading to learn how to do so and keep your skin healthy and glowing.
1. Cover It up
Your skin is the safest when it’s not exposed to the sun at all, which is only while you’re indoors. As soon as you leave the house, there is a risk of sun damage. Still, you can cover up your skin as much as possible. Make sure the most sensitive parts of your body are covered and protected – your face, neck, ears, hands, etc.
Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants or a maxi skirt and choose a hat with a wide brim that will provide a shade for your face and neck. However, remember – the shade will not protect your skin completely, so you should apply the regular amount of sunscreen on your face and neck even when you’re wearing a hat.
2. Use Sunscreen on a Daily Basis
The best thing you can do in order to protect your skin from sun damage is to avoid the sun! Don’t go out between 10am and 5pm unless you have to, and never leave the house unprotected. Don’t be lazy and apply sunscreen every time you leave the house.
Make sure you choose a sunscreen that has a high SPF and apply it at least half an hour before going out, so that your skin has enough time to absorb it. Another good idea would be to use a high-SPF lip balm. Don’t forget that the protection your sunscreen offers lasts for only about two hours, so it needs to be reapplied!
3. Avoid Sunbathing
Sunbathing is one of the women’s favorite summertime activities and it gives you a wonderful sun-kissed tan that looks amazing, but it does so much harm to your skin that you should try to avoid it. There are other ways of getting a nice tan.
Some of the sunbathing alternatives include self-tanning sprays, lotions, gels, etc., and you could use all these products at home, without exposing your skin to the harmful ultraviolet rays. All these products are considered safe if used properly.
For best results, have a professional spray tanning at a salon. However, avoid sunless tanning pills, for they might color your skin orange or even cause liver damage.