The Swimming Season is opening and the beaches are going to be filled with large crowds of beach goers. It is a fun, enjoyable season and the watermelons and melons guaranteed to be sweet and juicy. But it is very important not to forget that summer days are hot and the sun is very strong.
Even now, when we have all missed the open spaces, it is vital to protect our skin and health by practicing Sunsmart® behavior – seeking shade, wearing a hat, sunshades, proper clothing, safe hours of exposure, sunscreen and plenty of fluids. Most importantly, you should protect your skin during the hours when UV rays are most dangerous and avoid exposure to the sun between 10:00 – 16:00 as much as possible.
Babies and children are at most risk, so keep them protected. It has been proven that sun burns in childhood place one at a higher risk of developing melanoma during the course of life. 80% of all sun damage is caused before the age of 18.
It is important to ensure that children do not remove their shirt while in and out of the water (while in the water, they should wear long sleeve swimwear or a tightly woven cotton fabric, with a tight fit), and adhere to all other protection rules, even when not under their parents’ supervision. For example, while in daycare, in kindergarten, in summer camp, in youth movement, doing sports, etc.
Any time you go outdoors with your children, it is highly important that you take extra precautionary measures.
Remember the ICA’s recommendations and practice our Sunsmart® Behavior rules:
Shade - look for shade, try to stay shaded and remember that on the beach or at the pool, we are still exposed to the sun rays reflected back from the sand and/or the water.
Hat - it is recommended to wear a wide-brim hat to protect the face, the eyes, the neck and the nape.
Sunglasses – it is best to wear approved sunglasses proven to screen UV rays.
Protective clothing - it is recommended to fully cover the body as much as possible (long-sleeved shirt and pants. Tightly woven fabric, such as cotton, provides maximal protection against UV rays.
Safe hours - it is recommended to avoid sun exposure from 10:00 to 16:00 as much as possible, when UV index levels are at their highest.
Sunscreen – it is best to apply sunscreen of 30 SPF and up, on skin areas exposed to the sun about 30 minutes before going outdoors. Apply one layer, let it be absorbed and then apply another layer, that is, a double layer, making sure not to skip any exposed area.
Fluids – the body sweats and loses fluids on hot days. To prevent it from dehydrating, drink lots of fluids.
By adopting these rules, skin cancer can be prevented, as well as wrinkles and spots.