Reduce sun damage while enjoying the summer vibes…

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With the weather warming up and the holidays on the way, the thought of relaxing while soaking up the sun after a year behind closed doors is something many of us are looking forward to. Spending time soaking in the sun is a reward we deserve after what 2020 brought our way, but since we have been indoors a lot more than usual this year, we have to be wary about getting too much sun exposure too soon. Also, when it comes to the sun and the damage it can cause our skin, too much unprotected sun exposure should be avoided daily. Alexa Wilding, Everysun senior brand manager, shares some info on taking care of yourselves in the sun.

Over-exposure to the sun can result in the skin showing symptoms of sun damage, and if not taken care of immediately can cause lasting effects. It doesn’t matter whether your skin is dry or oily, or if you have fair or dark skin, sun damage is a concern for everyone, and can show up in the following ways:

  • Dry skin can occur when your skin has been over-exposed to the sun. It can appear dry, flaky, and slightly more wrinkled than areas without sun damage. Dry skin can also cause itching.
  • When spending too much time in the sun, especially without applying sunscreen, sunburn can occur. Mild sunburn causes pain and redness, while more severe cases of sunburn can produce painful blisters, and even nausea and dizziness.
  • Small bumps that feel like sandpaper or a patch of scaly (peeling) skin with a pink, yellow or brown tint is known as actinic keratosis can occur due to sun damage.
  • Long term changes in the skin’s collagen can also be a symptom of sun damage, and can result in fine lines, deeper wrinkles, a thickened skin texture and easy bruising. This happens mostly on the back of the hands and forearms.

Continuous sun damage over time can cause skin cancer, while everyday exposure can damage the skin through the lack of sun protection especially when out during the hottest times of the day. However, it is not all doom and gloom and a few small changes to way in which we interact with the sun can make a difference to our skin.

  1. The most important point when it comes to sun protection is to wear a high SPF sunscreen. Making the application of sunscreen part of your morning routine to your body and face, while topping up during the day, gives you the protection you need from the sun and therefore from sun damage. Also be sure to choose a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB radiation. Everysun’s range of SPF50 sunscreen available in variants for all ages, skin types and activities, is the perfect companion while enjoying summer. Available in a family size 400ml bottle, there is no longer any excuses to not protecting your and your family’s skin.
  2. Avoid the hottest sun times of the day, from 10am to 3pm. The UV rays that cause sunburn are strongest during this time. If you do need to be outside wear a high SPF sunscreen, a hat and find shade.
  3. If possible, wear protective clothing. Although wearing long sleeves and long pants on a hot summer’s day might not be the look you are going for this summer, it can block out more of the sun.
  4. Surfaces such as sand and water can reflect the sun’s rays causing sunburn and extra precaution should be taken when around these elements.
  5. Babies younger than six months old should be kept out of the sun completely and should be kept in the shade and covered up.

Keeping your skin safe and protected from the sun is simple, and although there were many doubts during the year, summer is definitely on!

For more follow Everysun on Instagram: @everysun_sa or Facebook: @everysunsa

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