You hit the gym months in advance, picked the perfect neon swimsuit and even found a charming wrap and sandals to match. But after all that time spent toning and clothing your skin, how much thought and time have you put into defending it?
This weekend as you relax by the pool or at the beach, make sure you keep your skin healthy and protected from the harmful rays of the sun.
What are UV rays?
The sun emits ultraviolet (UV) rays, which are of varying lengths and intensity. UV rays have beneficial properties such as the manufacture of vitamin D. UVA is a long wave, UVB is a medium-length wave and UVC is a short wave.
Skin damage caused by sun
UVA, UVB and UVC all damage the collagen found in the skin, reducing its firmness and causing wrinkles. UVB is the major cause of sunburn and all types contribute to the formation of melanoma, a malignant tumour found on the skin.
How much SPF is enough?
SPF stands for sun-protection factor. It is a measure of how effective your sun block is against the harmful effects of UV radiation. In general, the higher the SPF value, the more protection it offers.
How to protect yourself
The first step in protecting your skin is to choose a sunscreen that has a broad spectrum formula, that is, it defends against both UVA and UVB sun rays. This ensures that you are protected against all the damage the sun can cause - sunburn, wrinkles and melanoma.
To give the sunscreen enough time to be absorbed into your skin, apply a thin, even layer 15- 20 minutes ahead of sun exposure. There is no need to spread a thick layer of sunscreen on to the body as this does not provide added protection.
Spread sunscreen all over your body and don't forget areas like the back of the neck, the ears and your feet.
Lips and the face are often more sensitive areas of the body. Although the same sunscreen used for the rest of the body can be used on these areas, try using a lip balm and facial moisturiser which have SPF.
Although some sunscreens have waterproof properties, be sure to reapply every 30 minutes if you're moving about.