We all know that using sunscreen is basic skin protection and sunburn prevention 101, however the subject matter is slightly more complicated than that. For the ultimate sunburn prevention and preventative suncare, consider the following sun tips you may not have known before today.

 

Your Daily Affirmation

Use sunscreen like a daily affirmation regardless of your activity. It has been estimated that up to two-thirds of skin damage from the sun is unintentional or rather simply from innocuous daily activities. You may have just popped to the shops for some milk with your arm out the window of the car or walked there without sunscreen. These small unprotected moments do add up and can become dangerous.

 

Timing Is Everything

If you have done any traveling to warm climates such as the Caribbean or Latin America, you will often notice that everything stops or slows down during midday hours. In fact, people in Spain often do not even go out to eat or socialize until it is dark because the sun is simply too strong. Many cultures have been doing this for hundreds of years. We should all follow suit as you are far more likely to experience a sunburn or sun damage between the hours of 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.

 

A Summertime Tradition

Having drinks in the sun is a welcomed North American summertime tradition for many of us. As much fun as it is, be sure to keep hydrated with the appropriate liquids or you could exacerbate any potential sunburn that is brewing below the surface. Well, that and too many drinks may hinder one’s ability to realize an impending sunburn or it might encourage a long nap in the sun that could result in some highly unwelcome consequences at a later time. Also, if you suffer from rosacea, alcohol can play a dual nightmare in the summertime . Either way, have fun, but drink more water than booze when possible.

 

Wait 20 Minutes

Most sunscreen instructions will advise to wait 15 or 20 or 30 minutes after you apply sunscreen before being exposed to the sun. It is widely believed by skincare and medical professionals that sunscreen will start working immediately once it is applied. However, it is also widely believed that it will work better if you wait a little bit, particularly if you are going to be in the water. The moral of this story is that even if you forgot to apply sunscreen before you left the house, still lube up as it is essential to your skin protection regardless of whether you apply it once you are in the sun or if you do so beforehand.

 

What’s Your Number?

The number of your SPF does matter. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, a minimum of SPF 30 is required to provide you with sufficient sun protection. It is estimated that an SPF of 30 will block up to 97 percent of all UVB rays. If you choose to use a higher number SPF, you will have added protection, however it is quite minimal and no amount of SPF or sunscreen will keep out 100 percent of UVB rays.

 

Sunburns are the fastest way to ruin a holiday or fun in the sun with friends and family. They can even make Mondays at work even less enjoyable. Follow these tips to keep your skin in top shape to maximize the good times and memories this summer.