Do you know how to keep yourself safe in the sun during your holiday?
With all the rainy weather we have been having in the UK, you might not have been worrying too much about the sun. However, today was still the first official day of summer and if you have a summer holiday planned, you will likely be packing your sun cream, so it is something that you can ‘t really avoid. Sun, like so many other things that we enjoy (cakes, chips and sleeping to name just a few) is good for us, but in moderation. The problem is, this is often something we forget when we expose our pasty bodies to those 2 weeks in the sun!
So, first of all the good stuff about sun. Sunlight is a source of natural light and energy. It helps our body produce Vitamin D, which is vital for our general health and well being.
And now the bad stuff. Excessive exposure to the sun’s rays is a health hazard due to the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation on the skin. A sun tan is effectively the visible damage to the skin from ultraviolet rays. The sun emits two types of ultraviolet rays:
UVA - these penetrate deep into the skin and can trigger allergies and cause premature ageing and wrinkling.
UVB – these affect the upper layers of the skin, triggering the production of melanin which causes tanning. Excessive exposure to these rays can cause burning, freckling and thickening of the skin. They can also cause skin cancers.
Ok, so we know all this, when the sun is blazing down in the Mediterranean, but here are some of the times when we are less likely to think about the sun, and why it still matters.
- UVA and UVB are both present whenever the sun shines and can penetrate through cloud. So even if you are unlucky enough to have an overcast day or 2 on holiday, the sun can still cause damage. Sun damage can also occur when reflected from sand and water, so remember this if you are on a cruise, even if it is breezy.
- The sun can cause damage when you are actually in a really cold environment, or even when there is snow. For example, when you are skiing or hiking up a mountain. This is for 2 reasons – the snow reflects the sun, and at high altitude the intensity of the light increases as the sun’s UV rays are more concentrated. For each 300 metre gain in altitude, the sun’s intensity increases by 4%.
- Being under water can be deceptive – you are still not protected from the sun. The sun’s rays penetrate water and are effectively magnified, and in shallow waters the rays reflect off a sandy floor. Snorkelers should always cover up with a tee shirt to prevent burning to their backs. Scuba divers are generally OK due to their protective clothing and the fact that they are normally too deep for the UV rays to penetrate.
Staying safe in the sun tips
- Avoid exposure to the sun when it is at its highest point in the sky and UV levels are at their strongest, generally between 10am and 3pm
- Always use a high factor sun screen. Apply liberally 30minutes prior to exposure and reapply frequently particularly after swimming and vigorous exercise. Remember the re-application of a given factor does NOT mean that the protection time is doubled
- Cover up with a wear a wide brimmed hat to protect the head and face, long sleeved shirts and sunglasses.
- Children are particularly vulnerable to the damaging effects of sunlight. Babies under 9 months of age should never be exposed to direct sunlight and young children should always have a high SPF waterproof sunscreen applied.
- Take time to acclimatise to high temperatures, drink plenty of non-alcoholic liquids and don’t do anything too physically demanding.
